The third game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday started off tense and escalated in the fourth quarter.

In a pivotal moment during Dallas’ 101-90 victory, Mavericks’ PJ Washington and Clippers’ Russell Westbrook were both ejected after Westbrook’s rough foul on Luka Doncic.

The incident unfolded as Westbrook defended against Doncic, who received the ball after an offensive rebound by the Mavericks. As they tangled, Doncic drove into the lane, leading to a collision.

PJ Washington was removed from the game after scoring only ten points

Westbrook, seeking a foul call, engaged in a dispute with Doncic, resulting in Westbrook shoving Doncic in the forearm. Washington intervened to protect Doncic, leading to an altercation between him and Westbrook.

In a post-game interview, Washington emphasized his commitment to defending Doncic at all costs, stating, “Always got to protect 77 at all costs… I just had to step into it.”

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged the physicality of the game but stressed the importance of maintaining composure and avoiding ejections.

“We’ve got to channel our aggression in other ways… we’re not getting thrown out of the game because everybody’s important,” said Lue.

Despite the drama, Doncic scored 22 points, albeit with shooting struggles, while Irving contributed 21 points. Washington, who was ejected after the incident, managed to score ten points. The Mavericks now look to secure a 3-1 series lead in Game 4, with Westbrook’s availability uncertain.