U.S. basketball match descends into chaos as punches thrown in violent court brawl

American and Chinese basketball teams were involved in a violent courtside brawl with punches being thrown before security was forced to intervene.

The match was between the Xinjiang Men's Basketball Team and the American Explorers Basketball Team Qiaonan Wudaojie Cup, a China -US Professional Basketball Challenge. The players from both sides exchanged punches before separating.

A viewer has alleged that Xinjiang's Huang Rongqi was slapped by an opponent when trying to grab a rebound, which sparked the shocking scenes. The two teams did reconcile after the game, though, posing for a joint picture. The coaches were all smiles - but several members of the two squads remained glum-faced following their brawl. The Explorers basketball team also posted a video of the two sides shaking hands and hugging.

Social media viewers have accused the American team of bullying with the Chinese side reportedly winning two prior games 65-55 and 89-81. "I suggest the Chinese team learn some boxing in addition. A quick one-two will quickly calm down the excited American Explorers," one said.

• Jamie Carragher savages Todd Boehly in withering attack on Chelsea transfers and Joao Felix deal
• 'I watched Chelsea vs Man City at Cosm - an 8K, immersive EPL viewing experience from the future'

"I like it. Basketball is boring, but group fight is very interesting," another quipped. "Who won the fight? Looks like the security team won," a third joked.

Reports suggest the Chinese team may still face sanctions from the Chinese Basketball Association for the incident despite both teams squashing the altercation and reuniting later in unity. Many of the players who had fought still had smiles on their faces.

The violent clash wasn't the only tension between the U.S. and China on a global sporting stage. The two superpowers went head-to-head at the summer Paris Olympics. Team USA came out on top in the medals chart, winning 126 medals, including 40 golds, to China's 91 medals and 40 golds.

The two countries were also involved in a doping squabble, with the World Anti-Doping Agency claiming to be stuck in the middle of the row. The US alleged that Wada was involved in a cover-up following doping allegations aimed at top Chinese swimmers.

Chinese swimmers heading to this summer's 2024 Paris Olympic Games were drug-tested twice as much as some other nations and one that competed in Paris tested positive for contaminated meat defense. However, China's anti-doping agency concluded that the steroid consumption came after eating French fries, Coca-Cola, and hamburgers in Oct. 2022.

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, also came out in opposition to Wada. "It is clear to me that any attempts of reform at Wada have fallen short, and there are still deeply rooted systemic problems that prove detrimental to the integrity of international sports and athletes right to fair competition, time and time again," said Phelps, who won 28 medals across five Games.