Things could’ve become way worse than they did on April 1 at the Kia Center during the Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks game. However, Goga Bitadze was let off with an easier consequence despite being involved in the mishap.

With 7:30 left in the fourth quarter of the match, Atlanta's No. 31, Jock Landale, leapt for a two-pointer, but was brought down to the floor by Bitadze, who pulled him down by his shoulder. The harshness of the foul caused multiple Hawks players to charge at Bitadze.

While nothing overtly untoward happened, match officials and arena security had to intervene to control the situation. An X update from MrBuckBuck displayed the entire incident.

The caption to the X update revealed the penalty issued to the concerned players for the misconduct. It stated, "Goga Bitadze gets ejected from the game - flagrant penalty 1, and Daniels receives a tech."

The end was even more bitter for the Magic as they lost the match 130-101. Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker played pivotal roles in the Hawks' victory, contributing 32 and 18 points, respectively.

But this sort of behaviour from Bitadze, well, mark it two already.

Goga Bitadze’s Recent Issue With Luka Doncic

Within 2 weeks, it’s the second time Bitadze has done something that disregards the NBA rules completely. In their last game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Magic may have lost by one point. But Bitadze made sure to limit Doncic’s scoring prowess.

At the Free throw, Bitadze said something ‘very inappropriate’ to Doncic, involving his family. This escalated to a heated moment between the two, leading to Doncic’s next game suspension. The Slovenian added, “At some point, I just can't stand it. I gotta stand up for myself.”

Although the Magic Center denied such claims, adding that Doncic was the one who started it, with Bitadze merely replying. He also said, “It was nothing towards his (Doncic’s) family or anybody,” and he has “all the respect for Luka and what he has done.”

So, the next time something like this happens again, who knows what situation Bitadze would find himself in?

What’s your take? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy