Sources: Rockets Confront Austin Rivers in Clippers Locker Room

Sources from the NBA said that Houston’s Chris Paul, James Harden, Gerald Green and Trevor Ariza pushed their way into the locker room of the Los Angeles Clippers wanting to confront Clippers’ guard Austin Rivers following the Rockets 11-point loss.

Staples Center security escorted the Houston players out prior to anything becoming physical said sources. They had made their way through a hallway on the back side of the locker rooms that connects the two.

Rockets players also wanted to confront power forward Blake Griffin, said the sources.

While the four players from Houston marched down the back hallway Clint Capela, a center, knocked on the locker room door of the Clippers and someone opened the door, saw who it was and immediately closed the door.

This was the first time Paul has returned to the Staples Center since leaving the Clippers to play for Houston. Things were no cordial upon his return.

In the game, the Clippers were led by Lou Williams with 31 points. As well as 29 from Blake Griffin, prior to his ejection. Los Angeles won 113-102.

Austin Rivers did not play on Monday. He is recovering from an injured ankle and sat at the end of the Clippers bench in street clothes. During the fourth quarter, Rivers and Houston’s Ariza began exchanging words prior to Griffin coming between the two and saying a few things of his own. After the game, Griffin joked by saying Ariza asked if Griffin was going to attend his birthday part.

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Clippers head coach Doc Rivers would not comment about what was said between the three players.

Things went downhill quickly shortly after the Ariza and Griffin incident late in the final quarter. Griffin scored from near the hoop and Paul was assessed a foul on the play. Paul ran to the refs not believing the call, while Houston coach Mike D’Antoni appeared to be shouting expletives at Griffin.

The video was reviewed and refs confirmed the foul committed by Paul while also assessing technical fouls on both D’Antoni and Griffin.

Shortly thereafter Griffin slammed a ball of the back of Eric Gordon to keep it from falling out of balls. A few seconds later Griffin and Houston’s Ariza were assessed technical fouls and both were ejected.

The problems in the locker followed but, as of yet nothing has been confirmed about what took place, if anything. The NBA will surely investigate the incident and possible fines and suspensions will follow.