โIf they want to give me a technical (foul), they can give me a technical. He tells me what he said, Iโm coming right back at him. I didnโt think there was a place for that. I wasnโt talking to the referee. He didnโt do anything when he went at me, and I donโt just go at a player.
โI went there, and he said something and I went back at him.โ
Davis later thanked Goorjian for supporting him on court.
The heated game is also likely to lead the NBL to investigate reports of a confrontation between Phoenix coach Josh King and Davis, which allegedly took place after the game in the tunnel that leads to the locker rooms.
Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari has twice taken to social media to address the fiery contest, lashing Goorjian and addressing the tunnel clash.
โSome folks are saying our coach confronted KD in the tunnel, couldnโt be further from the truth, it was the other way around,โ Chaudhari posted on X.
โA broadcaster left mid-press conference to go snitch to KD, which then incited that whole โconfrontationโ in the tunnel, a confrontation initiated by KD.
โLetโs see how this is addressed in the aftermath. Unfortunately, there is a โgood โol boys clubโ mentality that is ever prevalent, so I wonโt hold my breath.โ
King, speaking before the alleged tunnel incident, said Goorjianโs behaviour was โcompletely uncalled forโ.
โItโs really surprising, a guy thatโs done everything heโs done in his career to think itโs OK to tell an opposing player โF youโ three times,โ King said.
Goorjian getting emotional court-side.Credit: Getty Images
โThatโs very disappointing and itโs not right. Hey, it is what it is. Maybe he thinks thatโs OK.
โI just know that Iโve never seen that before, and Iโve coached around the world too.โ
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Sundayโs result lifted Sydney (21-9) above the Phoenix (21-10) into second spot on the ladder, with just two rounds left in the regular season.
with AAP
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