Chalmers: Flagrant 2 over elbow unwarranted
NEW YORK — Memphis Grizzlies guard Mario Chalmers says he didn’t deserved to be tossed from Friday night’s game against the New York Knicks, calling into question Sasha Vujacic‘s reaction to contact over which Chalmers drew a flagrant foul 2 and an automatic ejection.
“No, not at all,” Chalmers said when asked after the Grizzlies’ 91-85 victory whether his ejection was deserved. “If I would have elbowed him … like he acted I did, then it would have been a lot more vicious, which it wasn’t.”
Chalmers was whistled for the flagrant 2 and ejected from the game after elbowing Vujacic while both players scrambled for a loose ball.
The play occurred with 11:04 to go in the fourth quarter. Chalmers appeared to elbow Vujacic in the neck.
Vujacic then knocked down both free throws to cut Memphis’ lead to seven. But the Knicks (23-30) couldn’t complete the comeback.
Chalmers said he had no malicious intent with the elbow. He also wondered whether Vujacic overreacted.
“He grabbed his eye,” Chalmers said. “And on the replay, it shows my arm hit him on the neck, so I don’t really see how that goes (together).”
The Grizzlies improved to 30-20 with the win. The Knicks fell to a season-high six games under .500 and have lost eight of nine.
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