NBA suspends three players involved in altercation between Mavericks and Suns

On By Littum



CNN
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The National Basketball Association (NBA) has suspended three players involved in an altercation between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Mavericks forward Naji Marshall has been suspended four games without pay and Suns center Jusuf Nurkić has been suspended three games without pay for their “engagement in an altercation on the court,” Joe Dumars, executive vice president, director of basketball operations, announced Saturday.

Mavericks forward PJ Washington was also suspended one game without pay for “escalating the altercation on the court.”

In the third quarter of Dallas’ 98-89 win over Phoenix at the Footprint Center, Nurkić committed an offensive foul that led to a scuffle between him and Marshall.

The 30-year-old Nurkić swung his arm at Marshall, which led to Marshall throwing a punch at Nurkić.

As referees and players from both teams tried to de-escalate the situation, Washington shoved Nurkić to the floor.

Nurkić, Marshall and Washington were all assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game.

According to the league, the altercation did not end on the field.

Marshall “further attempted to engage Nurkić in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms.”

Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer criticized Nurkić for his role in the situation.

“I think the level of arguments is not good for our team,” Budenholzer told reporters after the game. “It’s not good for anybody individually, it’s not good for our league. I don’t know all the details of what got it to that point.”

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd had a different take on the altercation.

“Protecting each other, that’s what it was. Teammates, emotions can run high,” Kidd said. “For our guys to protect each other, we talk about that, it showed tonight. It was good to see those guys protect each other. Now we’re moving on, we’ve got to get ready for Portland.”

Marshall will begin serving his four-game suspension and Washington will serve his suspension on Saturday when the Mavericks visit the Portland Trail Blazers.

Nurkić will also begin serving his suspension Saturday when the Suns visit the Golden State Warriors.