Steady Escalation in Hawks-Heat Playoff Game Leads to Bench-Clearing Brawl (1994)

April 30, 1994 - Exaggerations abound when discussing the physicality of '90s playoff basketball. However, at least in some cases, the legend lives up to the reality.
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat went on to serve as one of the most significant drivers behind league-wide reforms on physicality and on-court violence after a steady escalation of tempers culminated in an unruly bench-clearing brawl midway through the third quarter. The primary flashpoint came within a three minutes span in which Danny Manning committed two flagrant fouls and remained in the game, as the league lacked a mandatory ejection rule for multiple flagrants. Less than 15 seconds later, a full-scale donnybrook commenced.
In the aftermath, even with officials tightening up their whistles to call the game closer, flagrants, near flagrants, and '90s "playoff" fouls continued right on through garbage time, where even a dunk when up 20 with less than two minutes remaining received no free passes.
This fracas, alongside the JoJo English-Derek Harper brawl two weeks later, led to an immediate revision of NBA bylaws. Among the changes in place by the start of the following season:
* Any player leaving the bench during a fight will be automatically suspended for at least one game.
* Any player committing two flagrant fouls in a single game will be automatically ejected.
* Stricter enforcement of taunting rules and behavior that could cause a fight.
* Technical fouls fines increased to $500 (formerly $100 for first technical, $150 for second).
Suspensions stemming for the event:
Keith Askins (Heat): Three-game suspension, $15,000 fine
Doug Edwards (Hawks): Two-game suspension, $10,000 fine
Grant Long (Heat): One-game suspension, $10,000
Hawks-Heat Brawl: • Hawks & Heat Throw Dow...
Knicks-Bulls Brawl (JoJo English-Derek Harper): • Jojo English fight wit...
Hawks-Heat Box Score: www.basketball...
Suspensions stemming for the event:
Keith Askins (Heat): Three-game suspension, $15,000 fine
Doug Edwards (Hawks): Two-game suspension, $10,000 fine
Grant Long (Heat): One-game suspension, $10,000

[@overratedgm5713]

They should not have traded Dominique Wilkins for Danny Manning

[@MrSmitty1074]

I agree. That was very stupid.

[@Joseph-lz5er]

To this day, the only first-place team to trade their franchise player during mid-season. Dumbest trade in the history of basketball.

[@youtubepremium-8011]

Wii sports resort

[@master-kq3nw]

Box match