Vision disputes 36ers Mike Wells' melee punch claim

• ‍Shock footage: Terry Taylor had Nick Rakocevic in 'crazy headlock'‍
• 'Crossed line': Bullets 'unprofessional' as SEVEN player ejected‍
• Montrezl Harrell declares 'I Got You' to Brisbane Bullets

Multiple angles of the wild bench clearing melee that resulted in seven players ejected during the NBL26 Ignite Cup clash between the 36ers and Bullets appears to dispute Adelaide coach Mike Wells' claim Hunter Maldonado punched Nick Rakocevic while the two wrestled on the baseline.

In an explosive post game press conference Wells said: "To me, there is always a line in sports, and you do not cross that line.

"There was a takedown between two players and then everybody started jumping in. By the time I got down there, Terry Taylor had Nick in a headlock on his back and Maldonado was punching him in the stomach. That is what I had.

"Everybody else who jumped in was grabbing my players, while Maldonado was still punching Nick in the stomach. To me, that is not basketball.

"We can play, we can compete, we can get after it, and this is a hard-playing league, but people do not cross the line. That crossed the line."

basketball.com.au has viewed the vision from different angles and frame by frame from the ignition point to the de-escalation.

Wells arrived about eight seconds after the pair first hit the ground and the melee erupted.

Rakocevic and Maldonado got tangled up in the post as Maldonado bumped the Serbian forward on an Adelaide 36ers possession. Rakocevic turned to the baseline referee to complain before re-engaging Maldonado in the post. They boxed each other as DJ Vasiljevic knocked down a three, locking arms, pushing and pulling each other into the front row spectator seats.

As the pair went down Rakocevic followed through with an elbow that either just caught Maldonado or just missed his jaw.

36ers star Zylan Cheatham tried to keep Brisbane's Terry Taylor out of it but he broke free as the vision shows Maldonado turning on to his side, away from Rakocevic.

Maldonado appears to be pushing himself and Rakocevic away with an open right hand, his legs underneath Rakocevic's waist.

Bullets captain Mitch Norton disputed Wells' claims Maldonado punched Rakocevic.

"I didn’t see Hunter throw a punch," Norton said.

"I continue to ask for clarity as to why TD got thrown out, who was at the back of the pack not doing a thing, when there were a lot of other players who were pretty heavily involved that didn’t get sent.

"I don’t understand that one. As for TT, he was sticking up for a teammate. All the other comments about cheap shots and all that stuff, I don’t really buy it."

Norton was the second Bullets player in after Taylor, trying to drag him off.

What won't be in dispute is Bullets import Taylor putting Rakocevic in a headlock with multiple angles, including a floor level spectator video of the incident, confirming it.

Video shows Bryce Cotton and Norton both trying to ply Taylor's arm from Rakocevic's neck.

Rakocevic addressed the situation on social media, offering his account of the fourth-quarter altercation that led to multiple ejections.

“I was the one who was being pulled to the ground. Then, during that whole situation, I tried to get up, as I was being held down, and pushed to the ground,” he said.

“I tried to do everything I could to get out of that situation.

“I would never do anything to get my teammates involved in something like that. Anyone who knows me will vouch for that.

“To my teammates, coaches, staff and fans, I apologise.”

Brisbane Bullets head coach Darryl McDonald defended Taylor, who he said he was trying to protect his teammate.

"Again, I don’t think he was out of control," D-Mac said.

"I think he was trying to protect his teammate. I think you go to the tape and have a look at the tape and you can see what’s going on.

"With basketball, your teammates matter and you protect your teammates.

"I don’t know whether they saw Rakocevic land on Hunter, because he literally pushed him and then pile-drived him.

"Nobody saw that, that’s all I’m saying. Go to the tape and you’ll see what I’m talking about."

Tiktok user @harryybestt posted the vision just hours after the 36ers blow-out 107-74 win.

Brisbane Bullets CEO Malcolm Watts released a statement today.

“On behalf of the Brisbane Bullets, I would like to acknowledge the incident that occurred during last night's game involving the Adelaide 36ers,” Watts said.

“Emotions can run high in competitive environments, and we recognise that post-game commentary is often delivered in the immediate aftermath of intense moments.

“However, several comments directed at our players and organisation in the post-match press conference were disappointing.

“We have great respect for the Adelaide 36ers organisation and continue to have a strong working relationship off the court.

“The available footage provides clarity around the sequence of events. We are comfortable that it will assist the league in its review, and we will be respectful and supportive of the process undertaken.

“Lastly, the manner in which Darryl McDonald and Mitch Norton conducted themselves in the post-match press conference strongly reflects the character of our club, and I commend both for their composure, clarity and professionalism.”

McDonald also disputed Maldonado threw punches.

"Offensive rebound and I just like saw Rakocevic pile drive Hunter," McDonald said.

"After that, I didn’t see a lot. But yeah, it’s us, it’s our team, guys protecting each other. I don’t think anybody threw punches. Like you said, 'Hunter threw a punch' – Hunter didn’t throw any punches. He was trying to get away from the guy because the guy was landing on him.

"Again, it’s tough, man. When you have teammates, you want to protect your teammates, and that’s all we were trying to do."

The NBL said in a statement today: "The NBL GRP has received requests for review by the NBL Head of Referees in relation to the following players and coaches, following last night’s on-court incident (Q4, 3:02 remaining):

Adelaide (ADL)

• Zylan Cheatham
• Nick Rakocevic
• Assistant Coach Kerry Williams

Brisbane (BNE)

• Hunter Maldonado
• Terry Taylor
• Alex Ducas
• Sam McDaniel
• Taine Murray
• Casey Prather
• Assistant Coach Patrick Ewing Jr.

"Both Brisbane and Adelaide have been notified and have until 11:35pm AEDT today to submit any player and coach submissions."

The NBL said in a statement last night: “An on-court incident involving multiple players occurred during tonight’s Ignite Cup game between the Brisbane Bullets and Adelaide 36ers, with 3:02 remaining in the fourth quarter The incident has been referred to the NBL’s Game Review Panel for consideration in accordance with the NBL Tribunal Rules. Relevant parties will be notified of the next steps in the process. No further comment will be made by the NBL while the matter is under review."