During the closing moments of the third quarter in a Mexican professional  basketball playoff game, Dorados players Sindarius Thornwell and Mikahel McKinney engaged in a physical altercation on the team bench, resulting in both players being ejected from the match. The incident occurred during a Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP) quarterfinal matchup against Fuerza Regia.

Bench Altercation Ends Dorados Playoff Run

The physical confrontation broke out on the bench while officials discussed a ruling in the center of the court. Television and social media footage captured Thornwell grabbing McKinney by the neck, sending him tumbling to the floor to dodge an incoming punch. When McKinney regained his footing and attempted to strike back, a team assistant coach intervened and absorbed a heavy push. Teaming up to separate the pair, the rest of the roster stepped in before referees issued matching ejections to both players. Spanish-language sports outlet deia.eus reported that the flashpoint contributed to a 97-106 defeat for Dorados, sealing their elimination from the postseason series.

Jorge Elorduy, the Basque head coach leading the Dorados bench, watched the incident unfold from close range before reacting with visible disbelief. Elorduy brings extensive coaching experience from FEB competitions in Spain and international stints in Paraguay, alongside a season as an assistant under Álex Mumbrú at Bilbao Basket during the 2018-19 LEB Oro campaign.

Scott Bamforth Injury Precedes Bench Brawl

The stoppage that triggered the bench brawl began immediately following a play involving another former Bilbao player, American guard Scott Bamforth. Competing for Fuerza Regia, Bamforth sank a crucial side three-pointer in the waning seconds of the third period. On the subsequent play, a defender attempted a contest that left Bamforth down on the court holding his right knee after absorbing contact.

As referees gathered near midcourt to review the sequence prior to the altercation, players retreated to their respective team areas. Bamforth concluded the contest with 28 points for Fuerza Regia, steering his squad past Dorados to close out the series victory.