Benches Clear in Bucks-Heat Game 5 After Udonis Haslem, Bobby Portis Square up
Tensions flared during Game 5 between the Bucks and Heat on Wednesday as Miami looks to close out a stunning upset in the series.
Veteran big man Udonis Haslem, apparently took exception to something Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis did, and midway through the second quarter, the 19-year veteran got off the bench and approached the Bucks big.
The two got right in each other’s faces and appeared to exchange some unpleasantries before they were separated by referees and coaches. Teammates from both teams approached the beefing duo before they were eventually separated.
Even after being ushered away, Haslem continued to point at and challenge Portis.
The referees issued a technical foul to Haslem for leaving the bench, though Portis was not penalized.
Udonis Haslem and Bobby Portis. ????????️
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 27, 2023
pic.twitter.com/3nFJhqpTHn
While Haslem hasn’t had a big on-court role for the Heat over the past few seasons, he remains a crucial member of the organization and a locker room leader. The 42-year-old has played just two minutes throughout the entire series thus far, making a brief appearance in Game 3, but that hasn’t prevented him from getting involved in other ways.
Haslem has announced his intention to retire after this season, but the 19-year veteran doesn’t seem to have lost an ounce of passion despite his career winding down.