By the time Artest rushed out of the locker room to join the fray, Su Xi was already in the player tunnel giving an interview.
"I don't understand why Ben Wallace would do that."
Su Xi told the TNT sideline reporter, "This isn't the him I remember."
"I didn't participate in the brawl. I'm the victim. I hope the league rescinds my penalty."
"I just made a great steal and was about to charge down the court when I was tackled to the ground. I scrambled frantically to break free—it was a reflex. Like a drowning person flailing their arms."
Su Xi continued, his face screaming, 'I'm so innocent.' If he really did hurt his attacker, it was an accident.
The female reporter kept staring at Su Xi's torn jersey. The muscle definition underneath made it hard for her to stay focused.
She nodded repeatedly. She also felt Ben Wallace had gone too far. Su Xi had only dominated him on the court, and Wallace lost his cool and attacked him, even getting Su Xi ejected in the process.
