Three Thunder Players Ejected After Heated Altercation with Wizards

Officials claim players "not acting as peacemakers" during on-court brawl

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:34am

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The Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a 132-111 victory over the Washington Wizards, but the game was marred by a heated altercation that resulted in the ejection of three Thunder players - Jaylin Williams, Ajay Mitchell, and Cason Wallace. The officials stated the players were ejected for "not acting as peacemakers and escalating the altercation." The incident occurred with 27 seconds left in the first half when Williams and Wizards player Justin Champagnie got into a brawl, leading to the other players getting involved to try to break it up.

Why it matters

Altercations and player ejections are always concerning for the NBA, as they can lead to suspensions, fines, and a negative public perception. This incident highlights the need for players to remain composed and act as "peacemakers" during heated moments, rather than escalating the situation. It also raises questions about the Thunder's discipline and maturity, as they lost three key players in a game they were otherwise dominating.

The details

The brawl started between Thunder's Jaylin Williams and Wizards' Justin Champagnie, and then escalated as Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace got involved in trying to break it up. The officials stated that Wallace pushed Wizards player Anthony Gill into the altercation, leading to his ejection as well. The incident spilled into the crowd, which is a major no-no for the NBA after the infamous "Malice at the Palace" incident in the 2000s.

  • The altercation occurred with 27 seconds left in the first half of the game on March 22, 2026.

The players

Jaylin Williams

A Thunder player who was ejected for his role in the altercation.

Ajay Mitchell

A Thunder player who was ejected for his role in the altercation.

Cason Wallace

A Thunder player who was ejected for his role in the altercation, including pushing a Wizards player into the fray.

Justin Champagnie

The Wizards player who was involved in the initial altercation with Jaylin Williams.

Anthony Gill

A Wizards player who was pushed into the altercation by Cason Wallace.

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What they’re saying

“They were ejected for not acting as peacemakers and escalating the altercation... It was observed that Wallace pushed (Anthony) Gill into the altercation, and after falling to the floor, it was not observed that Gill did anything in an unsportsmanlike manner.”

— John Goble, Crew Chief

What’s next

The NBA is expected to review the incident further and potentially hand down additional punishments to the players involved.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for NBA players to remain composed and act as "peacemakers" during heated moments on the court, rather than escalating the situation. It also raises questions about the Thunder's discipline and maturity, as they lost three key players in a game they were otherwise dominating.