ESPN’s Mike Wilbon wants Kings-Bucks in NBA Finals after Lyles, Antetokounmpo, Lopez melee

Famed journalist Michael Wilbon said he wants to see the Kings play the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals after tempers flared between them in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game in Sacramento.

Wilbon, who co-hosts “Pardon the Interruption” with Tony Kornheiser, understood Trey Lyles’ physical reaction to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, and applauded Kings coach Mike Brown’s response following a 133-124 loss to the Bucks before a sellout crowd at Golden 1 Center.

“Giannis provoked – he did,” Wilbon said. “By the way, I don’t have a problem with Giannis doing what he did. It was a Bill Laimbeer sort of move to dribble in front of Trey Lyles. And Trey Lyles of Sacramento said, ‘No, all you people, you think we’re punks. We’re not having this.’”

Brown didn’t mince words when asked about his team’s reaction to the situation.

“I don’t know what happened, but we ain’t taking no s--- from nobody,” Brown said. “Trust me on that. They all going to have each other’s backs in there. That don’t mean we’re going to go out there and start something. We’re not, but we’re going to stand up for ourselves and each other.”

The altercation occurred with 15.1 seconds remaining in a battle between two of the NBA’s top teams. The Bucks are No. 1 in the Eastern Conference. The Kings came in as the No. 2 team in the West.

Lyles tangled with Antetokounmpo and then fought off Lopez during a heated exchange that led to the ejections of Lyles and Lopez. Antetokounmpo was dribbling out the clock in the final seconds when he appeared to intentionally cross in front of Lyles, creating unnecessary contact.

Lyles shoved Antetokounmpo in the back, leading to a heated confrontation between Lyles and Lopez. Lopez stepped up to Lyles in defense of Antetokounmpo. Lyles responded by putting his right hand in Lopez’s face and his left hand around his neck.

“I was fascinated by this 9.5 (out of 10) of a game — that’s how good it was,” Wilbon said. “It was a playoff game. It was contentious. People that are complaining there is too much fraternization. Not these guys!”

The only way the Kings and Bucks can meet again is if they play each other in the NBA Finals. Wilbon wants to see that.

“This was a fabulous night of basketball. A fabulous game. A fabulous confrontation,” Wilbon said. “I want to see more like it in the playoffs.

“I would love to see Milwaukee against Sacramento in the Finals although people like (Kornheiser) and Stephen A. (Smith) just want big markets in New York and L.A. I would love this.

“But Giannis provoked it. He did. He wasn’t even upset when Lyles pushed him. He wasn’t because he knew what he did. It was cool. I’m fine with it.”