Bucks’ Monta Ellis, Larry Sanders Nearly Fight After Playoff Loss To Miami Heat

It’s been over a week since the Milwaukee Bucks were swept out of the NBA Playoffs, courtesy of the Miami Heat, so the timing of the following story is a bit odd.

Apparently, after the Bucks game three loss which happened on April 25th, both Larry Sanders and Monta Ellis had to be separated in the locker room as the two nearly came to blows.

While no punches were actually thrown, the situation may have given Ellis a first class ticket out of town come this offseason – either on his own accord or on behalf of the Bucks front office.

From Berger:

"After the Bucks lost 104-91 to the Heat in Milwaukee on April 25, Sanders vented in the locker room and said in a fiery speech, “We need to start playing together as a team and stop worrying about next year,” according to one of the people briefed on the confrontation. “We need to stop being selfish and start worrying about right now.”Ellis “took umbrage,” according to another person with knowledge of the situation. Correctly assuming that Sanders’ comments were directed primarily at him and backcourt mate Brandon Jennings, who both are prospective free agents, Ellis approached Sanders and squared off with him, sources said. A teammate got between the two players and separated them before the conflict became physical."

Ellis, who holds an early termination clause in his current contract, can opt-out and become an unrestricted free agent this Summer or can exercise the $11 million dollar clause to remain in Milwaukee one more year.