The Pool Report interview was conducted by Will Guillory (The Athletic) with Crew Chief Marc Davis following tonight’s Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans game.

QUESTION: “How did you come to the determination that the Jonas Valanciunas foul was a Flagrant 2?”

DAVIS: “Replay determined that the elbow to the head of [Taj] Gibson met the criteria for a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2, which is unnecessary and excessive contact. All three elements were present, in that there was windup (the thrown elbow), impact (elbow to the head and above the shoulders of Gibson) and follow-through. This met all the criteria for a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 and he was ejected as per rule.”

QUESTION: “What made it the difference between a Flagrant 2 and a Flagrant 1?”

DAVIS: “A Flagrant 2 is unnecessary and excessive contact. A Flagrant Foul Penalty 1 is just unnecessary contact. All three elements being present, and the elbow above the shoulders and to the head of Gibson warranted a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2.”