The NBA is no stranger to physical battles, but things got intense during the Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns game on March 12, 2025. A scuffle between two powerful centers, Steven Adams of the Rockets and Mason Plumlee of the Suns, led to their double ejections.
Fans quickly pointed out that Mason Plumlee seemed ungrateful for Steven Adams' past act of sportsmanship when Adams saved Plumlee from a dangerous fall by stopping play instead of going for an easy basket. That moment had earned Adams praise across the NBA, yet now the two found themselves wrestling on the court in a heated altercation.
This altercation left fans debating: Was it a justified ejection or just an intense physical battle? Let’s break down what happened.
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The fight erupted in the second quarter as both players aggressively fought for a rebound.
STEVEN ADAMS AND MASON PLUMLEE SCUFFLE 😳
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 13, 2025
Both players got ejected after altercation. pic.twitter.com/dgji2IBhOo
After reviewing the play, both players received double technical fouls and were ejected for fighting.
Crew chief Tony Brothers explained:
“Their aggressive actions were considered a fight, and by rule, fighting technical fouls carry a penalty of automatic ejections.”
This decision sparked mixed reactions among players and coaches.
Plumlee downplayed the incident, saying:
“We just got tied up. He goes for every rebound, whether it’s dirty or not. I just made a point to hit him on the glass.”
Udoka was surprised by the ejection:
“They both fell down in a little wrestling match. I didn’t think they’d get ejected for that.”
Budenholzer agreed:
“It’s just two guys getting tangled up both physical, both contenders.”
Suns star Devin Booker felt the call was unfair:
“Steve tried to pick him up and slam him. Mason just happened to be on top of him.”
Steven Adams is known for his strong, physical style of play. He frequently battles for rebounds, sets brutal screens, and never backs down from contact.
This incident wasn’t the first time Adams has been in a physical altercation. He has clashed with several NBA stars in the past, earning a reputation as one of the league’s toughest enforcers.
Ironically, Adams once helped Mason Plumlee avoid a scary fall. Instead of going for a dunk, Adams caught Plumlee mid-air and gently lowered him to the ground a moment that earned him praise across the league. It became viral for Steven Adams Sportmanship and fans said it was a good move for Adams that he save plumplee for a possible bad fall.
Steven Adams saved Mason Plumlee from a bad fall instead of going for the layup 👏 pic.twitter.com/rTE5ojbw23
— ESPN (@espn) December 15, 2018
Despite losing Adams early, the Rockets still secured a 111-104 victory over the Suns, extending their winning streak. However, Adams' absence affected Houston’s interior defense, making the game much closer than expected.
This season, the Rockets have developed a hard-nosed reputation, leading the NBA in player ejections. With seven ejections already, Houston is drawing comparisons to the legendary Detroit Pistons ‘Bad Boys’ of the late 1980s.
Coach Ime Udoka has instilled a tough, no-nonsense mentality, making Houston one of the league’s most physical teams.
The Steven Adams vs. Mason Plumlee scuffle added another fiery chapter to the NBA’s history of physical battles. While opinions remain divided on the ejections, one thing is clear: Steven Adams’ tough playing style continues to make an impact on the league.
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Both were ejected for fighting, as per NBA rules on physical altercations.
Opinions are mixed. Some feel it was just a physical play, while others believe Adams escalated it.
No major injuries, but he was bleeding from his forehead.
Yes, Adams has had several physical altercations in his career.
Despite Adams' absence, the Rockets won 111-104.
Neither faces a suspension, but the league could issue fines for the altercation.
