Mensur Suljovic got a talking to from referee Kirk Bevins for celebrating too much when he beat Joe Cullen at the World Darts Championship. The veteran got into the third round after a tough win against his British rival, who blew an early lead. It was unexpected since Cullen was expected to win.

The match was tense because Cullen got more and more annoyed with Suljovic's slow pace. After hitting the dart that won him the game, the 53-year-old jumped around the stage, enjoying the crowd at Alexandra Palace. He went to say hello to Cullen, but Cullen wasn't interested, brushing him off and glaring at him.

Suljovic kept enjoying his win, soaking up the applause. He also celebrated winning legs during the match, and at one point, Bevins told him off for taking too long.

After the match, he told Sky Sports about Cullen's anger and said he wasn't slowing down to throw Cullen off.

Suljovic said, "I don’t know; what’s his problem?" I give him missed doubles, everything. I like Joe Cullen, a very nice guy. I never play slow. I do it only for my game. I’m never doing this for him. Sorry Joe, never do this. I love him, man.

Cullen was obviously mad and went on social media right after the match to say Suljovic 'cheated' to win.

If that’s darts, I don’t want any part of it, Cullen wrote. Always liked Mensur away from the board, but that was plain for all to see!

I don’t think I’m alone in feeling this way. The old guard will say it’s part of the game, but word it how you will—it’s CHEATING! That’s not darts.

At the press conference after the match, Suljovic was asked about Cullen's anger and if he had said sorry for playing slowly.

Confused, he said, "Never have I ever said sorry to Joe Cullen in person." I play on that stage; what's his problem?

I say sorry, maybe, to the referee, maybe, but for Joe Cullen? Never. 'You play this, you play this.' Everybody plays differently. I wait maybe 40 seconds before the first dart.

Some guys (gestures throwing motion) and my head (gestures almost being hit in the head by a dart). This is not okay. I don't know what his problem is. What is the problem? I gave him missed doubles and everything.

I'm never doing darts not correctly. Maybe I am (gestures a celebration), my face or 'come on' too much. I like Joe Cullen. He is a very nice guy, but...

Suljovic will play either Luke Littler or David Davies in the third round of the World Darts Championship next week, hoping to keep going at Alexandra Palace.

The Lakers always get attention, and everyone loves an underdog story. Keon Ellis from the Kings is one: an overlooked guy from a football-focused school who wasn't drafted but worked hard to find his place in the NBA.

He's in his fourth year with Sacramento. They started him as a two-way player and moved him to a regular contract. He got better each year, scoring 8.3 points and shooting well from three (43.3%) last season. Plus, he became known as a tough defender.

But now, the Kings are struggling (6-22) after trying to build a playoff team. So, people are noticing Ellis, not just for his defence or shooting, but because many teams want to trade for him once the Kings start selling off players from this disappointing season. Surprisingly, Ellis is a popular name on the trade market.

One NBA GM said, Almost everyone in the league has asked about him. The Lakers are often mentioned, but…

The Strange Case of Keon Ellis This Season

What makes the Ellis interest even weirder is that he's had minor injuries, and his role has decreased this year. He's only averaging 5.3 points, shooting 39.5% from the field and 35.6% from three. His shooting is the worst it's ever been, and he's playing fewer minutes (17.3 per game) compared to last year (24.4).

Yet, the Lakers have him high on their trade list this winter, and so do others. The Kings hope this interest will get them a first-round pick in return.

The GM said, He's not a star or going to be one, and he hasn't even played great this season. But he has a couple of things going for him that are boosting his value. First, he fits in anywhere. Every team needs someone who can shoot and defend.

Second, he's cheap at $2.3 million. You could trade a player from the end of your bench and some second-round picks to get a guy who would be in almost any team's rotation.

Lakers, Knicks, and Others Interested

Ellis is a free agent after this season, which can be a drawback in a trade. But since his salary is low and a team would get his Bird rights in a trade, they could re-sign him next summer without affecting their salary cap. That's the Lakers' plan.

For other teams, Ellis is a chance to improve their roster without breaking the league's spending rules. So, even though he's not playing as well this season, Ellis is still wanted. He's the rare player who appeals to both coaches and accountants.

Besides the Lakers, teams like the Knicks, Magic, Heat, and Trail Blazers are interested in Ellis. Others are or will be involved, which could drive up the price to a first-round pick.

The GM said, It's hard to imagine giving up a first-rounder for him, and I don't think it will go that high. But the Kings are right to ask for it, and maybe someone will bite in the end.