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Fred VanVleet, DeAndre' Bembry suspended for leaving bench in Raptors-Lakers scuffle

William Lou
·NBA reporter
·1 min read

The NBA is suspending Fred VanVleet and DeAndre' Bembry one game each for leaving the bench during a scuffle that broke out between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

VanVleet and Bembry were ruled to have left the bench after OG Anunoby flipped Dennis Schroder after the two got tangled up in the first quarter. Anunoby was ejected along with Lakers center Montrezel Harrell, who escalated the fight, but NBA rules strictly forbid any players not on the court to step in during fights.

It's clear from the footage of the fight that VanVleet was only ever on the court to pull Gary Trent Jr. away from the pile. VanVleet wasn't even suited up for the game, as he was sitting out with a hip injury. Bembry was on the bench and never joined the fracas, taking at most one or two steps along the baseline.

Anunoby was also fined $20,000 for his involvement, although he is available to play moving forward. The Raptors are already severely shorthanded, operating with a nine-man rotation over the last week due to various injuries, which only makes the league's stubborn decision even more detrimental.

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 06: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors pushes Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Amalie Arena on April 06, 2021 in Tampa, Florida.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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Gary Trent Jr. of the Toronto Raptors pushes Dennis Schroder of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

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