Two NBA stars were ejected from a basketball match between the Philadelphia 76ers against the Minnesota Timberwolves after starting an on-court brawl.

In the third quarter, as TV cameras followed the action at one end, Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns involved themselves in a pushing contest at the other.

Towns grabbed Embiid and put him in a headlock, before both sets of players and benches engaged in a mass-brawl.

The two players have a history of trading barbs and tempers flared between them in Philadelphia.

Footage showed Embiid attempting to put his thumb into Towns' eye as a wrestling match ensued on the court floor.

Both players were ejected after video replays were analysed by officials.

After the game, the officials’ crew chief told reporters: "We deemed the altercation a fight. Therefore, by rule, they're both ejected.”

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Embiid was quick to Tweet after the match, saying: “Great team win!!! I was raised around lions and a cat pulled on me tonight lmao.. Got his mama giving middle fingers left and right. That’s some SERIOUS REAL ESTATE #FightNight #IAintNoBitch.

Both players could now receive a suspension for the incident. Philadelphia won the match 117-95, their fourth consecutive victory of the season.

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