Mitchell Champagnie Suspended After OKC Wizards Brawl

A skirmish marred Oklahoma City’s 132-111 win over Washington when Ajay Mitchell shoved Justin Champagnie after words between Champagnie and Jaylin Williams. The NBA suspended Mitchell and Champagnie one game each for "fighting and escalating an on-court altercation which spilled over into spectator stands." Williams was fined $50,000, while Cason Wallace and Anthony Gill were fined $35,000 apiece. All four involved were ejected after an officials review, and Thunder still rolled behind a 40 point night as they sit 56-15 and the Wizards slump at 16-54. Merlin sees discipline doing two jobs at once, punishing heat of the moment and protecting a title favorite. Coach Mark Daigneault said, "I disagreed with their judgment after talking to them and watching it at halftime," yet OKC’s depth blunts the sting of one-game suspensions. Mitchell averages 14.2 points, so his absence against the 76ers is notable but unlikely to derail the champions.