Tempers flared late in the Los Angeles Clippers' 113-102 win over the Houston Rockets, and that animosity carried over to the postgame locker rooms.
The Rockets' Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza, James Harden and Gerald Green went through a back door to the Clippers' locker room in an attempt to confront Austin Rivers and Blake Griffin, two people with knowledge of the incident who asked for anonymity because the details were not publicly disclosed told USA TODAY Sports. The Rockets' Clint Capela also attempted to access the Clippers' locker room, but through the front door.
Staples Center security prevented the Rockets players from entering the Clippers' locker room, and there was no physical altercation.
An LAPD spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports late Monday night that no information about the incident was immediately available.
Asked about it, Clippers coach Doc Rivers would only say his team was in its own locker room. "Their entire team was not in their locker room," he said, referring to the Rockets.
Walking into his postgame interview, Rivers joked, "We're honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we're non-violent."
Paul dodged the question about the locker room incident when asked by reporters afterward.
Paul was making his first appearance against his former since he basically forced a trade in the offseason. He told the Clippers he'd opt out of his deal and sign with the Rockets as a free agent if he wasn't dealt. Adding to the animus, he also criticized the Clippers' culture in October.
The Clippers received seven players, a draft pick and cash considerations in exchange for the nine-time All-Star point guard to the Rockets
More: Tempers flare as Clippers beat Rockets in Paul's return
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Paul's former teammate, Griffin, was ejected late in Monday night's game after receiving a double technical. He took to Twitter after the game to mock what transpired.
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin32) January 16, 2018
The Associated Press contributed to the report.
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