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Kings' Chimezie Metu Ejected After Punching Mavs' Eugene Omoruyi in Summer League

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVAugust 15, 2021

LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 15: Chimezie Metu #25 of the Sacramento Kings and Eugene Omoruyi #21 of the Dallas Mavericks fight for position during the 2021 Las Vegas Summer League on August 15, 2021 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

Sacramento Kings center Chimezie Metu was ejected from Sunday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks after punching Eugene Omoruyi in the face. 

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA

Mavs forward Eugene Omoruyi (flagrant 2) and Kings forward Chimezie Metu (punching foul) were both ejected after this play: <a href="https://t.co/WGXSh8FUnP">pic.twitter.com/WGXSh8FUnP</a>

Metu took exception to a hard foul from Omoruyi as he was attempting a dunk. When he got to his feet, he threw and landed a punch. Both players were ejected. 

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif

Metu went up for a poster dunk and fell hard after a physical contest by Omoruyi. Omoruyi got a flagrant 2 and Metu was just ejected.

Brad Townsend @townbrad

Omoruyi also was ejected, leaving Mavs with 6 players. <a href="https://t.co/oMTbfwm5h9">https://t.co/oMTbfwm5h9</a>

Metu was on the receiving end of a dangerous foul last season too. After dunking over then-Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas in a February matchup, Metu hung on the rim, either waiting for Valanciunas to clear the way for him to land or to taunt him. Either way, Valanciunas took exception, grabbing Metu by the leg and throwing him to the floor. 

Metu broke his wrist on the landing and was out nearly six weeks. 

It's possible that incident was still fresh in Metu's memory after Omoruyi's dangerous foul under the basket. That, of course, doesn't excuse throwing a punch at a player.

Jason Jones @mr_jasonjones

Damn, Metu can't do that. Figure the fall from the Valanciunas play was in his head in that situation, but he can't go at someone like that.

Metu, 24, is heading into his second season with the Kings after spending his first two years in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. He appeared in 36 games for the Kings last year, averaging 6.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per game. 

Omoruyi, 24, was signed by the Mavs to a two-way deal this summer. He averaged 17.1 points per game with the Oregon Ducks last season.