The Milwaukee Bucks walked onto the Staples Center court motivated to keep their late season push to stay in the playoff race alive, and the Los Angeles Lakers ran their last place squad out to preserve their dignity at home on Friday, March 17. It was the Bucks who were successful, handing L.A. their 9th loss in 10 games with a 107-103 win. For the Lakers, though, tensions rooted in their season-long funk appeared to boil over prior to the final score, when late in the 3rd quarter a brawl was close to breaking out from a pushing match that resulted from a hard foul.

Brandon Ingram led L.A. on a fast break after gaining possession from a turnover on Milwaukee's end of the court and shoveled the ball over to Nick Young as the two approached the basket. But Milwaukee's Malcolm Brogdon caught up to the Lakers' guard and nearly sent him tumbling to the ground with a swat at the ball that almost took his head off, [he was eventually charged with a flagrant]. Young would respond with a push that drew the attention of Bucks big man Greg Monroe, who in turn shoved Young. D'Angelo Russell and the rest of the Lakers, as well as the Bucks and coaches from both teams would clear their benches to break the fracas up.

Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton was fired up after the game, saying "Don't touch my damn players," to reporters on hand. The NBA has yet to announce whether it will dole out any punishment in connection with the incident.

Source: youtube.com