The Orlando Magic delivered an impressive performance on Monday night, defeating the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, 108-104. With the win, the Magic improved their season record to 19-12. However, the game took a dramatic turn late in the fourth quarter when Magic star Goga Bitadze was ejected.
The tension began when Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis exchanged words with Orlando point guard Jalen Suggs. Bitadze then took entry and raised his arms in frustration. As the confrontation escalated, Bitadze approached Porzingis and appeared to shove him by the throat. The referees acted swiftly, ejecting Bitadze for the foul.
Sure looked like Goga Bitadze thought that Kristaps Porzingis had been ejected, then realized it was actually him who got tossed pic.twitter.com/RdEPJ6fvIM
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) December 24, 2024
What truly caught everyone’s attention, though, was Bitadze’s reaction to the ejection. Initially standing with his teammates, Bitadze seemed unaware that he had been tossed. He was thinking it was Porzingis who was ejected. Bitadze’s expression then quickly changed once he realized it was actually him being sent off the court.
Kristaps Porzingis Reflects On Heated Exchange With Goga Bitadze
After Monday night’s intense matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic, Kristaps Porzingis addressed the late-game altercation involving Orlando’s Goga Bitadze. The Celtics star referred to the incident as “just normal NBA action” and shared that it wasn’t a serious altercation.
“Nothing. Just competing. Started talking a little bit. We went face to face, and then we just kept on talking, and Bitadze came from the side and kind of shoved me, and of course I reacted to that. Just normal NBA action, a little bit. Nothing serious, just competing. It’s good that nobody got thrown out from our side and we just kept playing,” Porzingis said.
Bitadze ended the game scoring only eight points, with nine rebounds and three assists. Meanwhile, Porzingis had a stellar performance despite the loss, adding 17 points and four rebounds in the game.
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