Carmelo Anthony Ejected for Hitting Thabo Sefolosha in Face

Carmelo Anthony was thrown out of Wednesday's game for throwing a jab at Thabo Sefolosha. It was a pretty gratuitous shot.

Anthony and Sefolosha were tussling underneath the basket while Knicks forward Justin Holiday shot a three pointer, pretty ordinary stuff, until Anthony's left hand grabbed Sefolosha's neck. As they moved away from each other, Anthony hit Sefolosha in the face with his right hand.

Why? Who knows. Anthony didn't comment after the game, but Sefolosha is a solid defender who does not shy away from getting physical. Maybe that physicality got under Melo's skin?

"I'll talk to you guys tomorrow," he said.

"He punched me," Sefolosha said. "That was a fist right in my face."

It's the second time Anthony has been ejected this year, tying him with John Wall for most in the NBA. He's now been ejected 10 times since he got into the NBA—surpassed only by Matt Barnes, Richard Hamilton, and DeMarcus Cousins.

Most Ejections
Since 2003-04 (Anthony rookie season)
Matt Barnes 13
DeMarcus Cousins 11
Richard Hamilton 11
Carmelo Anthony 10
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 29, 2016

The Hawks beat the Knicks 102-98.