The chippiness between the Rockets and Clippers continued after LA's 113-102 victory over Houston in Rockets guard Chris Paul's return to Staples Center.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported late Monday that Paul, James Harden, Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green were among those who tried to continue their beef with Clippers forward Blake Griffin and reserve guard Austin Rivers in the Clips' locker room.
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Houston Rockets’ players James Harden, Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green pushed into Clippers locker room post-game looking to confront Austin Rivers, league sources tell ESPN. Security escorted Rockets out before anything turned physical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2018
Rockets players were clamoring for Blake Griffin too, league sources said. Chris Paul also entered with other Rockers players through a backstory that connects team dressing rooms. https://t.co/BRgyHe1WgL
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2018
Sources: As the four Rockets marched through the back hallway into the Clippers locker room, center Clint Capela knocked on the front door of Clippers entrance. Someone opened door, saw him standing there -- and shut it on him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2018
Griffin, Rivers and Ariza were among those jawing at each other on the court late in the fourth quarter. Griffin and Ariza were ejected.
The drama between Ariza and Griffin lasted most of the game and included this move by Ariza to rip Griffin's shorts on a drive:
🚨 Wardrobe Malfunction! 🚨#Shaqtin 😂 pic.twitter.com/G3R6fbIjF2
— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) January 16, 2018
Even Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni got involved. He cursed Griffin after Griffin tried to get D'Antoni to stay on his side of the coaching box. Griffin appeared to make contact with D'Antoni to make his point.
Here's the play where Blake Griffin went right at D'Antoni on the way up the court, going out of bounds to bump him. D'Antoni complains about it immediately. pic.twitter.com/dwZeRJlxmv
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 16, 2018
Mike D'Antoni drops a "f*** you on Blake" pic.twitter.com/2QkM6fvGHm
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) January 16, 2018
Griffin offered his point of view on the verbal altercations with D'Antoni and Ariza.
Blake on what he said to D'Antoni and Ariza pic.twitter.com/5GMDYpgeDV
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) January 16, 2018
To add to the postgame chaos, there were unsubstantiated reports Paul scuffled with Harden in Houston's locker room.
Chris Paul on reports that he had a confrontation with James Harden in the locker room: "That's Donald Trump fake news." With a laugh, he added, "Tell him I'm looking for him!"
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 16, 2018
Because that’s what security told us. https://t.co/7mdWmpiuH4
— Ashley Brewer (@abc7ashley) January 16, 2018
Of course, it wouldn't be a conflict without Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, who seemed to (unsurprisingly) enjoy the mayhem.
It’s a different culture in LA. No more soft shit here!!!!!
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) January 16, 2018
Paul was facing the Clippers in LA for the first time since his offseason blockbuster trade to Houston. The teams won't meet again until Feb. 28, also at Staples.
