What to know:
Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns got into a heated exchange early in their preseason opener Monday night.
Pistons forward John Collins and Suns forward Dillon Brooks.
The confrontation happened with 7:23 remaining in the first quarter.
The incident followed a hard foul as Collins grabbed an offensive rebound and was preparing to score.
Collins grabbed Brooks by the throat and later shoved the ball into Brooks’ face before players from both teams separated them.
DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns wasted little time getting physical in their preseason opener Monday night.
With 7:23 remaining in the first quarter, Pistons forward John Collins and Suns forward Dillon Brooks got into a confrontation after a hard foul during an offensive rebound.
Collins grabbed the rebound and appeared poised to score when the foul occurred.
After the play, Collins grabbed Brooks by the throat and later shoved the ball into Brooks’ face before players from both teams stepped in and separated the two.
Officials reviewed the play and assessed Collins a flagrant 1 foul and Brooks a technical foul.
Lead official Karl Lane said Collins’ actions were unnecessary and warranted a flagrant 1 foul.
Phoenix was awarded two free throws on the play.
Lane also assessed Brooks a technical foul for unsportsmanlike contact, giving Detroit one free throw.
Play then resumed as the Pistons and Suns continued their first preseason game of the season.
The incident came early in the first preseason game for both teams as Detroit and Phoenix opened their exhibition schedules Monday, Oct. 5.
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