Two of Croatia’s NBA players were involved in an early-morning fight in an Athens nightclub hours after their team was defeated by Greece.
Nuggets center Dario Saric and Clippers center Ivica Zubac were captured on video published by TMZ Sports getting into a fight early Monday at Bolivar Beach Bar in Alimos, Greece, a suburb of Athens.
The fight reportedly took place just hours after Croatia lost to Greece in an Olympic qualifying tournament game and occurred at 5:30 a.m., with Zubac mixing it up with another person as the bar’s security attempted to intervene, the outlet reported.
Later in the video, Saric can be seen coming over to get involved to help his national team teammate and later appeared to be put in a headlock by another individual.
The melee eventually settled down, as it appeared that security was able to get control of the situation and the two NBA players were escorted out of the venue.
The origins of the altercation are unknown, and TMZ Sports reported that “it did not appear police were present.”
In a statement issued later in the day, the Croatian Basketball Federation said that the NBA players were provoked.
“While in one of the clubs in Athens, some of our players were attacked, first verbally and then physically, which naturally made them defend themselves. It was a short episode that was stopped by the intervention of the club employees,” the statement read.
Croatia’s NBA stars fight after elimination by Greece
It had been a tough day for Croatia after having their Olympic dreams come to an end at the hands of Greece, which included NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, in an 80-69 defeat in the tournament finals.
It would be the first time in Antetokounmpo’s career that he appears at the Olympics, adding another stellar name to an already impressive long list of previously qualified teams and players.
Greece will now join the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 Group A, alongside previously qualified Australia and Canada. The fourth member of the group would be the winner of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Spain 2024.
Croatia could not repeat their success from 2008 and 2016, but coach Josip Sesar must be proud of the way his team performed in Greece.
Both Saric and Zubac played in the game, with Zubac putting up 19 points and 12 rebounds. Saric had a solid effort of his own, with 14 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
The incident comes just two days after Saric signed a two-year, $10.6 million deal Saturday with the Nuggets, ESPN reported. The deal also includes a player option.
