Austin Rivers, Mo Bamba Suspended by NBA After Altercation in Magic vs. Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves veteran Austin Rivers and Orlando Magic big man Mo Bamba have been suspended following their on-court altercation in Friday's game at Target Center, the NBA announced Saturday.

Bamba received a four-game suspension, and Rivers received a three-game suspension.

Additionally, Magic guard Jalen Suggs was suspended one game "for escalating the altercation by aggressively grabbing Rivers around the neck and pulling him to the floor." Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels was also fined $20,000 for his role in the incident.

Rivers and Bamba were among five players to be ejected in the third quarter of Friday's game following an on-court altercation. Suggs, McDaniels and Taurean Prince were also tossed from the contest.

The incident appeared to begin after Rivers missed a three-point attempt in front of the Orlando bench. Bamba and Markelle Fultz were seen reacting to the miss while sitting on the bench.

Rivers then appeared to approach Bamba to address his comments before the big man stood up and swung at the Timberwolves veteran. The two began to exchange more punches and others got involved, which is when Suggs pulled Rivers away before swinging him to the court.

Rivers addressed the incident after the game, via ESPN:

"I'm not going to snitch on the dude or whatever, but I just didn't like the way he was talking to me. For no reason, too. I don't even know that dude. I don't know anything about him. Obviously, I just know he's a player for the Magic. And he proceeded to talk, so that next possession, when I went down there, I just said, pretty much, 'Just keep it respectful, bro.'"

Rivers added: "I went up to him and I pressed him, and at that point, it can go one of two ways. I didn't think we were going to get in a fight. But when you stand up that fast and put your hands up—he threw a punch and missed, thankfully. At that point, I've got to protect myself. Ain't no one worried about him."

While Rivers seemed to suggest that Bamba's comments were disrespectful, Fultz said after the game that his comments were just typical trash talk.

Bamba isn't eligible to return to the Orlando lineup until Feb. 13 against the Chicago Bulls. Moritz Wagner and Bol Bol figure to see the majority of playing time behind Wendell Carter Jr. in his absence.

Losing Bamba isn't a huge deal for the Magic with Wagner and Bol available to take over. However, he's still a solid depth piece, averaging 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 17 minutes per game.

Suggs can return on Feb. 7 against the New York Knicks. Cole Anthony and R.J. Hampton will see more playing time behind Fultz until he returns.

Rivers, meanwhile, can return for the Timberwolves on Feb. 10 against the Memphis Grizzlies. Jaylen Nowell and Bryn Forbes should see the court more behind D'Angelo Russell in his absence.

Losing Rivers is a tough blow for the Timberwolves as he's the primary backup to Russell. The 30-year-old is averaging 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.1 minutes per game.

Both the Magic and Timberwolves are back in action Sunday. Minnesota is set to host the Denver Nuggets, while Orlando will travel to face the Charlotte Hornets.