NBA suspends New York Knicks, Washington Wizards players for altercation

Karl-Anthony Towns among those ejected after on-court brawl

The NBA has suspended New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin and Washington Wizards guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for their roles in an on-court altercation during Monday night's game at Madison Square Garden.

Toppin was suspended for two games without pay, while Caldwell-Pope was suspended for one game without pay. Both players were ejected from the game after they exchanged punches with each other in the third quarter.

The altercation began when Toppin and Caldwell-Pope got tangled up while going for a rebound. Toppin appeared to shove Caldwell-Pope, who then retaliated with a punch. Toppin then threw a punch of his own, and the two players began brawling.

Teammates and coaches from both teams quickly intervened to break up the fight, but not before Toppin and Caldwell-Pope had exchanged several punches.

The NBA announced the suspensions on Tuesday afternoon. The league said that Toppin was suspended for "fighting and instigating an altercation," while Caldwell-Pope was suspended for "fighting."

Toppin will miss the Knicks' next two games, against the Miami Heat on Wednesday and the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Caldwell-Pope will miss the Wizards' next game, against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

The altercation between Toppin and Caldwell-Pope is the latest in a series of on-court brawls in the NBA this season. In December, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner were suspended for their roles in an altercation during a game in Indianapolis.

The NBA has cracked down on fighting in recent years, and the league is likely to continue to do so in the future. Fighting can lead to injuries, and it can also damage the league's reputation.