Star slams ban: 'If I'd have punched you'd know'

• Montrezl Harrell suspended for 3 games, fined $3,685 after on-court and spectator incidents
• Kendric Davis suspended for 2 games for inappropriate handling of spectator
• Melbourne United dominates Adelaide 36ers 113-93, reclaims top spot on NBL ladder

Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year and Adelaide 36ers forward Montrezl Harrell has been suspended for three games suspension and fined $3,685 for his part in an on-court scuffle and a bench shoving match with a fan during a heated NBL clash against Melbourne United on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

Two spectators have been banned from all NBL games and venues. One for life and the other for 10 years.

A Single Member Tribunal (SMT) upheld two charges of striking ($1,550 each), a charge of engaging in a melee ($585), and a charge of inappropriate conduct involving a spectator, which resulted in the suspension.

During the course of his NBA career between 2016 and 2024, Harrell earned $38,978,478 in salary, $9.2M with the Los Angeles Lakers and $9.7M with the Charlotte Hornets.

The NBL released statement today (November 25, 2024). 36ers teammate Kendric Davis was also suspended for two games after being found guilty of inappropriate conduct involving a spectator.

Harrell responded to the verdict on social media platform X: "No one else involved in the situation huh @NBL. Only me and KD lol no players from other team just the coach for coming off the bench lol! Yeaaa I’m good man smh. Lmao and please cut it wit the closed fist mess because if I punched one them you would have definitely knew but that’s not case so stop preaching it to make it seem as the punishment was justified."

The NBL said it acknowledges and respects the SMT's decisions.

Adelaide retains the right to appeal the rulings to a Full Member Tribunal.

The NBL Integrity Department continues to investigate the spectator-related incident from the game.

The Adelaide 36ers released a statement on November 26, 2024: "Adelaide 36ers respect yesterday’s decision of the NBL Single Member Tribunal (SMT) hearing for Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell.

"Both Kendric and Montrezl have taken responsibility for their part in the incidents during the November 17 match against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena.

"We will continue to protect our players and actively support their physical and mental wellbeing.

Kendric and Montrezl appreciate all the words of support from around the NBL, especially our amazing home fans."

The 36ers said Kendric will return on Sunday, December 8 against Perth Wildcats with Harrell to follow on Saturday, December 14 against New Zealand Breakers at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

The on-court scuffle sparked when Harrell took exception to United centre Rob Loe pushing him the chest while both players were on the floor in the paint after Loe drew an offensive foul on Harrell in the fourth quarter. Loe appeared to pull Harrell down during the charge with United up 85-73 just 49 seconds gone.

Harrell pushed back on Loe and as was getting back to his feet, United point guard Shea Ili rushed in and pushed the 201cm American in the chest with two hands. It sparked a scuffle between the two clubs — contained to only players on the floor.

36ers coach Mike Wells said: "I’m on the other end of the floor, my first reaction was to make sure nobody was coming off the bench, and nobody did. And by the time I walked down there, everything had stopped.

"So when I came back we’ve got fans screaming and players and it’s like all mayhem is breaking loose on the sideline.

Back at the bench and during the review, a fan stands up and pushes an Adelaide official over the hoarding. Harrell and Dejan Vasiljevic take exception before the fan pushed the 190cm 36ers guard in the chest.

Adelaide officials, assistant coaches and teammates pulled Vasiljevic and Harrell away from the fan, de-escalating the situation. Moments later, a fan with his hoodie pulled tightly over his head walks toward the exit.