Magic's Bitadze ejected for dirty play, injures Hawks' Landale

Bitadze pulled down Landale, who suffered a right ankle sprain and had to leave the game.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:35am

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Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks after committing an unsportsmanlike foul on Hawks big man Jock Landale. Bitadze pulled down Landale as he was attempting a shot under the rim, causing Landale to go down hard and suffer a right ankle sprain. Several Hawks players had to be separated as they attempted to confront Bitadze following the play. Landale had to be escorted to the locker room and was ruled out of the game. The Hawks went on to win the game 130-101.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of dirty plays and unsportsmanlike conduct in the NBA. Player safety is a major concern, and the league has been working to crack down on such behavior. The ejection of Bitadze and the injury to Landale underscore the need for stricter enforcement of the rules to protect players from harm.

The details

With over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Hawks leading comfortably, Bitadze pulled down Landale as he was attempting a shot under the rim. Landale went down hard and immediately grabbed his right leg in pain. Several Hawks players, including Dyson Daniels and Jonathan Kuminga, had to be separated as they attempted to confront Bitadze following the play. Bitadze was assessed a flagrant foul 2, resulting in his automatic ejection from the game. Landale sustained a right ankle sprain and had to be escorted to the locker room, ruling him out for the remainder of the contest.

  • The incident occurred with over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game between the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks.
  • Bitadze was ejected from the game immediately following the play.

The players

Goga Bitadze

A center for the Orlando Magic who was ejected from the game for committing an unsportsmanlike foul on Jock Landale.

Jock Landale

A big man for the Atlanta Hawks who suffered a right ankle sprain after being pulled down by Bitadze and had to leave the game.

Dyson Daniels

A Hawks player who had to be separated from Bitadze after the incident.

Jonathan Kuminga

A Hawks player who had to be separated from Bitadze after the incident.

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What they’re saying

“We must protect our players and ensure the game is played with respect and sportsmanship. Incidents like this have no place in the NBA.”

— Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner

What’s next

The NBA is expected to review the incident and determine if further disciplinary action is warranted against Bitadze. The league will also provide an update on the severity of Landale's ankle injury and his timeline for return.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for the NBA to continue cracking down on dirty plays and unsportsmanlike conduct to protect player safety and the integrity of the game. While emotions can run high during intense matchups, there is no excuse for the type of dangerous foul committed by Bitadze.