“Emotions were flaring. At the end of the day, we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen. Everybody was just playing hard,” Duren said after the match.

“This isn’t the first time that people have tried to be like extra aggressive with us and talk to us, whatever the case may be.

“At the end of the day, emotions got high with everybody being competitive. Things happen.”

Bridges later apologised to fans, writing on Instagram: “Sorry Hornets nation! Sorry Hornets Organization! Always going to protect my team-mates forever.”

Lead official John Goble said in a post-game report the players were ejected because they “engaged in fighting activity during the dead ball”.

“After review, we assessed fighting fouls, and by rule, they were ejected from the game,” he added.

Lee, asked about the clash between Diabate and Duren that triggered the wider brawl, said: “Two guys got in a heated conversation and then it kind of spiralled from there.”

Of his own ejection in the fourth quarter, Lee added: “I’ve got to have a little bit better emotional control in that moment.”

Elsewhere, Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry will miss Sunday’s All-Star game with an injury to his right knee.

However, the Warriors are hopeful Curry will return after the All-Star break for the game against the Boston Celtics on 19 February.