OKLAHOMA CITY -- Houston Rockets star center Alperen Sengun expressed remorse for repeatedly calling a female referee "a b----" earlier this week, saying that he apologized immediately after the game. The incident, which resulted in Sengun's ejection in Wednesday's 114-93 loss to the Boston Celtics, went viral online in the following days with enhanced audio making his insult to Jenna Reneau clear.
CHICAGO -- Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was ejected midway through the first quarter of Dallas' game at Chicago on Saturday night after arguing with referee Scott Foster. Kidd appeared to be angry he wasn't granted his request to challenge a goaltending call on Max Christie with 5:44 remaining in the quarter. The Mavericks called a timeout, which initiates the coach's challenge process, but it apparently came too late to allow the challenge.
KANSAS CITY, Mo -- Chargers safety Tony Jefferson was ejected after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton in the fourth quarter of Los Angeles' 16-13 victory Sunday and left the field in frustration, making an obscene gesture toward fans. The play was initially flagged for unnecessary roughness, and a brief skirmish followed before officials disqualified Jefferson. Thornton was put in concussion protocol after the hit.
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen was ejected from an NBA Cup quarterfinal game against Oklahoma City on Wednesday night after he shoved Thunder center Chet Holmgren and knocked him to the floor. The Thunder led 94-58 with 5:18 left in the third quarter when Allen and Holmgren collided while Holmgren appeared to be setting a screen. Allen extended both arms, knocking Holmgren to the floor.
PHILADELPHIA -- The Orlando Magic's Jalen Suggs was ejected with 27 seconds left in the first half of Tuesday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after receiving two technicals during a heated altercation between the teams. Philadelphia's Andre Drummond squared off with Orlando's Wendell Carter Jr. near the Magic's free throw line, though no punches were thrown. Suggs came in and shoved Drummond.
PITTSBURGH -- Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey was ejected for throwing a punch at Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase with a little more than 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. Ramsey and Chase were each flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on 3rd-and-1 a play earlier. The two continued to jaw at each other as the Bengals took a timeout before running their 4th-and-1 play, and Ramsey threw a punch at Chase. He was promptly ejected.
LANDOVER, Md. -- Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne was ejected in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Lions after punching Detroit receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. After Detroit scored its third touchdown of the first half, Payne slugged St. Brown with his right hand after a verbal exchange. He was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and an automatic ejection. It marked the first time Payne, in his eighth season, has been ejected from a game.
Contreras said he didn't understand why he was thrown out of the game. He said he argued balls and strikes but didn't address a specific pitch and didn't say anything disrespectful. Apparently, he heard something [he thought] I said. I did not say that, Contreras said. Crew chief Jordan Baker told a reporter that Contreras and Marmol were ejected for saying vulgar stuff to Thomas. Baker added that Contreras made contact with Thomas.
Walls argued that he was simply preparing for the next pitch and never intended to signal anything to the ump. His frustrations escalated quickly.