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Dirty hit on Raptors rookie Koloko sparks wild melee with Heat
Raptors rookie Christian Koloko was ejected for the first time in his young NBA career after being speared by Heat forward Caleb Martin.
Midway through the third quarter of the Toronto-Miami game on Saturday night, Koloko and Martin got tangled up while battling for a rebound before Martin was called for a loose-ball foul. Upon what looked like innocuous jockeying for position, the Heat forward decided to accost the 22-year-old rookie as if he was in the wrong.
Tensions are HIGH between the Raps and Heat!
Caleb Martin and Christian Koloko get into it on the court. pic.twitter.com/7bNwJf0sAI— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 23, 2022
Koloko, in self-defence, stepped up to the older Martin as he towered over him, only to be speared into the seats behind them. The tumultuous scuffle came to a climax with both teams’ players coming to their brethren's aid while coaches tried preventing their benches from joining the brawl.
Cooler heads eventually prevailed after a few intense moments, but both Koloko and Martin were ejected for the altercation — despite the latter clearly playing the role of instigator. Understandably so, the internet quickly came to the defence of the Cameroon native.
17-2 run. It doesn't count toward Koloko's +/- but it should.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) October 23, 2022
Christian Koloko didn’t have a choice in that incident with Caleb Martin.
You can’t let someone punk you like that. Good for him. pic.twitter.com/xIFYVDw805— Amit Mann (@Amit_Mann) October 23, 2022
I'd say Christian Koloko stood up for himself, but how could he with Caleb Martin all up in his space like that???
— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) October 23, 2022
Koloko was also lauded for having the maturity to stand up for himself, showing a high level of courage despite only having a handful of NBA games (three) under his belt.
I’m glad Christian Koloko got on his feet, & stood up for himself.
Especially as a rook.
I’d be ok if he hit a right hook to Caleb while tackled. But he didn’t, & there’s still ejections ? Sigh.
NBA gotten so soft. #wethenorth— Formed To Create Inc (@prafecy) October 23, 2022
The other day, Trent told us that Koloko doesn't act like a rookie. (You could say that again)
Martin just tried treating him like one. Good on Christian for not backing down.— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) October 23, 2022
Following Koloko's ejection, the Raptors did make a serious run, eventually losing by three after trailing by more than 20 at one point.
