Chris Sheridan of ESPN.com reports on something we wish we’d seen during Allen Iverson’s return to Philadelphia last night.

Apparently, at the end of the game, someone pushed Iverson’s mom, who was among AI’s posse behind the Denver bench. Stunningly, a member of the group overreacted, resulting in a confusing confrontation (think Don King ring melee?) that caused arena security to step in.

Sheridan:

And the night included a little extracurricular Iverson-related excitement, too, as a scuffle broke out involving Iverson’s friends who were sitting along the second row of the baseline seats near the Denver bench. The altercation appeared to begin when someone pushed or jostled Iverson’s mother as the game was in its final minute and the entire sellout crowd was on its feet.

Iverson’s friends refused security guards’ orders to leave the arena after the fight, which resulted in one very large, very angry man being escorted away with a very large tear in his shirt. But it was all over in time for Iverson’s friends to see him get a chance to tie the game or win it.

That really does put a damper on what was a wonderful evening for one of Philadelphia’s favorite sons.

If only blows were thrown. Or weapons found. Then you’d be talking about a night worthy of celebration.