Report: NBA sees Ariza as main instigator of Rockets-Clippers fracas

Now that the dust has begun to settle after Monday night's explosive on-court - and back-hallway - dispute between the Los Angeles Clippers and the visiting Houston Rockets, the NBA appears to be focusing on who it believes was the episode's chief instigator: 14-year veteran Trevor Ariza.

The Rockets wing reportedly sought to enter the Clippers' locker room after the game to confront Blake Griffin and Austin Rivers, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Rivers reportedly spent much of the game vocally egging on the Rockets in support of Griffin. Tensions were already high, with Griffin facing off against his former teammate Chris Paul for the first time since the star point guard's departure from the organization this summer. An on-court scuffle triggered both Ariza's and Griffin's ejections late in the fourth quarter, after the Clippers had effectively sealed the victory.

Meanwhile, Rockets stars Paul and James Harden - the latter was also out with injury - allegedly attempted to dissuade Ariza from escalating the situation, though they ultimately tried to enter the Clippers' locker room as well, along with Ariza and Gerald Green.

Much to the amusement of fans and pundits alike, Rockets big man Clint Capela apparently knocked on the front door of the Clippers' locker room (while his teammates tried to enter through a back entrance), but left after an attendant shut the door in his face. It's unclear whether the Swiss center was a neutral party in the confrontation.

The NBA is expected to distribute widespread discipline for the incident.