Whenever tempers flare on the basketball court, it is almost customary to see players rush to the defense of their teammates, regardless of the nature of their history.
However, Jeff Teague once broke that unspoken rule.
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When DeMar DeRozan and PJ Tucker charged at his Indiana Pacers teammate, Lance Stephenson, for his unsportsmanlike conduct on the hardwood, Teague made the deliberate choice not to intervene in the heated scuffle, as he recognized that stepping into fire would only result in getting burned himself.
Teague on why he didn’t save Stephenson
The 2016-17 season had been a very turbulent one for Stephenson. In less than a year, he bounced from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Minnesota Timberwolves and then to the Pacers. Naturally, this instability placed him under immense pressure to prove his worth, or at the very least, vent his frustration on the floor with his game.
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So, on April 04, 2017, when the Pacers faced the Toronto Raptors, Stephenson had an itch to do the same. With the game decided and only three seconds to go with Indiana leading by 105-90, he rushed his way to the rim to score an uncontested layup. What might have seemed like an inconsequential basket ignited the ire of the Raptors players. Both DeRozan and Tucker viewed that as disrespect and did not waste time before confronting Lance.
As the shoving began and both benches emptied, the natural expectation was for Teague to also be in it. But Teague stood firm in his refusal. Speaking about that incident later on his podcast, he admitted that he stayed out of the confrontation, not out of indifference, but self-preservation. Knowing the kind of hefty fines that the league imposes, Jeff understood that it was best to maintain as much distance as possible, especially when his own teammate was in the wrong.
“I know this n—a but I’m on the Pacers now with Lance and Lance shoots a last-second shot. Time is running out, five seconds are left, Lance lays it in, we up by 10 (points). I’m like, ‘Damn. I know what’s this about to come with.’ DeMar and PJ beeline to Lance, they’re like, ‘You b—ch a— n—a.’ I’m like, ‘Woah!’ Lance is on my team, so I’m like, ‘Ya’ll gotta chill,'” Teague recalled on his podcast. “Lance is walking straight to the tunnel, they’re like, ‘We gotta f—k him up.’ I’m like, ‘I ain’t about to do s—t. I’m not taking no tax, no fines, nothing,” Teague narrated.
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Boiling temperatures endure the worst fines
To be fair, in hindsight, Teague’s decision was made in a common sense. The game was already over and Stephenson himself was more concerned with heading to the locker room than continuing the incident.
On the other hand, this moment also highlights a larger issue in today’s NBA. Too often, players feel compelled to join unnecessary skirmishes, raising tensions further and exposing themselves to costly penalties. With modern fines running into significant sums, the consequences of acting on impulse have never been greater, especially since none of them will do anything serious physically.
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That being said, what makes Jeff’s story stand out is its blend of humor and practicality.
While fans might chuckle at his candid admission, there is a subtle lesson embedded in — if it’s not your fight, there is no need to showcase yourself as the alpha on the court.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.