5 biggest brawls in NBA history

NBA brawls ignite passion, but harm players, teams, and league image. Suspensions, fines, and injuries follow. Sportsmanship and safety must prevail.

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The Malice at the Palace, a 2004 brawl between NBA players and fans, remains unmatched in sports history. After a hard foul, chaos erupted, leading to player-fan altercations and a game cancellation. Hefty fines and suspensions followed.

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During a game, the Nuggets were dominating the Knicks. A hard foul by Mardy Collins led to a brawl involving Nate Robinson, J.R. Smith, Jarred Jeffries, and Carmelo Anthony. The NBA imposed fines, suspensions, and a 15-game ban for Anthony.

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Former teammates Isiah Thomas and Rich Mahorn engaged in fights during a Sixers-Pistons game. Barkley and Bill Laimbeer also fought. The league imposed fines and suspensions after the five-minute brawl.

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In a 1984 Celtics vs. 76ers game, Larry Bird dominated Julius Erving. Bird taunted Erving, leading to a fight and ejection of both players, and a hefty $7,500 fine for each.

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During the 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals, tensions rose between the Bulls and Knicks, resulting in a brawl involving Derek Harper and Jo Jo English fighting into the stands. Both players received suspensions.

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5 biggest brawls in NBA history

NBA brawls ignite passion, but harm players, teams, and league image. Suspensions, fines, and injuries follow. Sportsmanship and safety must prevail.

The Malice at the Palace, a 2004 brawl between NBA players and fans, remains unmatched in sports history. After a hard foul, chaos erupted, leading to player-fan altercations and a game cancellation. Hefty fines and suspensions followed.

Malice at the Palace

During a game, the Nuggets were dominating the Knicks. A hard foul by Mardy Collins led to a brawl involving Nate Robinson, J.R. Smith, Jarred Jeffries, and Carmelo Anthony. The NBA imposed fines, suspensions, and a 15-game ban for Anthony.

Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks Brawl

Former teammates Isiah Thomas and Rich Mahorn engaged in fights during a Sixers-Pistons game. Barkley and Bill Laimbeer also fought. The league imposed fines and suspensions after the five-minute brawl.

Charles Barkley, Rick Mahorn, Bill Laimbeer, and Isiah Thomas

In a 1984 Celtics vs. 76ers game, Larry Bird dominated Julius Erving. Bird taunted Erving, leading to a fight and ejection of both players, and a hefty $7,500 fine for each.

Larry Bird and Julius Erving

During the 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals, tensions rose between the Bulls and Knicks, resulting in a brawl involving Derek Harper and Jo Jo English fighting into the stands. Both players received suspensions.

Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks Brawl

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