Down 99–96 with just over five minutes left, Bucks star Khris Middleton tried to chase down Nets guard Bruce Brown on a fast break. Brown slowed down, and Middleton caught his arm in mid-air, causing him to hit the floor hard.
After reviewing the play, referees in Brooklyn elected to eject the Milwaukee forward with a flagrant 2 at a critical juncture of Thursday’s game.
Brown made both free throws for Brooklyn, and Kyrie Irving added bucket on the team’s ensuing possession, quickly stretching the lead to seven points. Milwaukee fought back, tying the game on a ridiculous Giannis Antetokounmpo stepback three.