The NBA suspended Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall for four games and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic for three games for their roles in an on-court fight during Friday night’s game.
Dallas forward PJ Washington was suspended one game. The suspensions imposed on Saturday are without pay.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said before Saturday’s game against the Golden State Warriors that he accepted the league’s decision.
“We want to support Nurk in any way we can,” Budenholzer said. “He’s a great teammate.”
Nurkic was called for an offensive foul while guarded by Daniel Gafford with 9:02 left in the third quarter before the altercation quickly escalated. Nurkic confronted Marshall before landing an open-handed blow to the head and then Marshall responded with a punch. Washington quickly shoved Nurkic to the ground before the teams separated.
All three were ejected from the game. The Mavericks won 98-89.
The NBA said Marshall “attempted to attack Nurkic in a hostile manner in the hallway outside the locker room.”
“You never want these things to get to the point that they probably got to, and worrying about any other situation continuing is not good for anyone,” Budenholzer said, referring to Marshall’s actions.
“The way our arenas are set up, I think we all need to be aware and do the best we can to keep our players, when emotions get that high, try to get them to a good, safe place,” he said. later added.
Marshall and Washington were out for Saturday’s game against the Trail Blazers. Nurkic’s suspension also began Saturday when the Suns faced the Warriors. The Mavs are also without Luka Doncic (left calf strain), Dante Exum (wrist surgery) and Dereck Lively II (left hip contusion).
Mavs coach Jason Kidd said after Friday’s game that the players were “just protecting each other.”
“It’s appropriate that we go by what the league delivered,” he said Saturday night in response to the suspensions. “The next two guys go up and we move forward.”
