21.   Five Knick players were suspended, including four for leaving the bench.

22.   Following a spate of violent incidents earlier in the decade, the NBA adopted a strict policy forbidding players from leaving the bench in an altercation.

23.   Four other Knicks, including Ewing, were also suspended for one game for leaving the bench during the fracas in violation of league rules.

24.   Four members of the Knicks then left their bench to join the melee.

25.   Gretzky then left the bench and walked down the corridor for examination.

26.   He did not leave the bench because a similar thing happened last month in Miami, when Riley told Mason to leave, and Mason saw it blow over.

27.   He did not leave the bench during the game.

28.   He left the bench during a game.

29.   He reviews it in his mind, wondering how he could have stopped four of his impetuous teammates from leaving the bench during a brawl last Wednesday.

30.   He said the fact that Ewing and other players left the bench when the fight began is hardly surprising.