Backup center Festus Ezeli was ejected in the third quarter of the Warriors 113-89 victory over the Raptors on Friday night in Toronto.
Ezeli engaged Raptors forward Tyler Hansbrough in physical play under the Warriors basket and then struck Hansbrough in the chin/neck area as they headed back toward the Toronto basket.
Hansbrough squared off before game officials separated both players, immediately ejecting Hansbrough. After taking a few minutes to study video replay, officials decided to also eject Ezeli with 4.5 seconds left in the third quarter.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been seeking an opportunity to play Ezeli, who played a total of 11 minutes in the previous 10 games. Kerr wanted to play Ezeli 12-15 minutes against the Raptors.
[RECAP: Warriors bounce back, embarrass Raptors]
He lasted only eight before getting tossed.
"He kind of got in my face and . . . it's not something I should bother myself with . . . yeah," Ezeli told reporters after the game.
The NBA office will examine the video and determine what, if any, fines might be levied. The league's findings could be announced as soon as Saturday.
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