The West’s top two seeds locked horns tonight, and it’s unfair not to expect a drama! In line with the expectation, the two teams offered a neck-to-neck battle throughout the game. However, the drama reached a high point with less than a minute left in the game when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks went after each other for a loose ball. Guess what? within seconds, there were at least 30 souls on the floor trying to separate the duo.

With 53 seconds remaining on the clock and with the game tied at 113, Shai collected a defensive rebound. At least he caught the ball clearly. But Brooks, who was standing next to him, wasn’t letting him go off with that easily. The 28-year-old latched on to the ball and attempted to nab it off the OKC superstar forcefully. Notably, the Rockets‘ star manhandled the guard, leaving him unsettled. Nevertheless, Shai did not go without a fight and received help from Kenrich Williams, who joined them in the strife.

Within seconds, staff and players from both sides barged in to separate the players while the Canadian teammates exchanged words with smiles on their faces. After the game paused, the officials looked at the monitor to review the play. Everyone anticipated multiple ejections or even a few technical fouls. Given the context of the game, any of it could make a tremendous impact.

After a long discussion, the refs announced their judgment leaving everyone surprised. They didn’t find anything apart from two competitive ballers fighting for the ball and called a jump ball between Shai and Brooks. A few months back, the duo battled together for their home country in Paris and tonight, they almost got each other ejected with violent play! For those looking to follow the progress of Canada’s basketball team or its players throughout the NBA, or even understand where the people’s confidence lies in Canada online supporters, you can check out the pre-match odds and gauge the overall fan support.

As the final seconds ticked down, the intensity on the court only increased. Fans could feel the electric atmosphere as both teams fought for the win, and the altercation added another layer of drama to the already heated game. The tension between Brooks and Gilgeous-Alexander was palpable, and despite the brief pause, it was clear the competitive fire had only intensified. The back-and-forth struggle continued to elevate the stakes of the game, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for the win, knowing the significance of every play. The clash, followed by a brief review, seemed to only add to the drama and anticipation, leaving fans at the edge of their seats.

Did Villian Dillon play mind games with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

Dillon Brooks isn’t new to brawls on the court. In fact, he emerged as the primary instigator on multiple occasions. Noticeably, he came into the limelight after pulling off a drama with LeBron James during the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Remember the “Poke the Bear” drama? Anyway, it was James who had the last laugh, refusing to fall for Brook’s mind games.

However, tonight, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seemed to have fallen prey to the tricks.

The Canadian superstar had another impressive night, generating 32 points and 8 rebounds against his name. Importantly, he had all the opportunity to take the game in Thunder‘s favor at the last minute. And, right after the brawl, the star could tie the game with his signature mid-range jumper.

Surprisingly, he missed it!

On the other end, Dillon Brooks, known for his defensive prowess, made a massive play at the end, dropping a tough pull-up jump shot to take the lead. That’s it. Brooks achieved what he wanted, disrupting Shai’s rhythm. Ultimately, the Rockets went home with a 119-116 win over the West leaders. What do you think of the play? Let us know in the comments.