The NBA has issued suspensions in response to the altercation during the game between the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans. Jimmy Butler, Naji Marshall, and Nikola Jovic will each serve one-game suspensions, while Jose Alvarado and Thomas Bryant have received three-game suspensions.
The incident occurred in the fourth quarter of the game, following a steal by Zion Williamson, who was then wrapped up by Kevin Love. This led to a physical confrontation, with teammates coming to Williamson’s defense. Marshall shoved Love, prompting Butler to respond with a push to Marshall.
The situation escalated as Marshall grabbed Butler by the neck, leading to further shoving between the two players. As this was happening, Alvarado and Bryant were engaged in a verbal exchange at the scorer’s table, resulting in Bryant appearing to throw punches at Alvarado.
The ensuing chaos involved players and coaches from both teams attempting to intervene and diffuse the situation.
Following a comprehensive review of the altercation, the officials issued double technicals to Butler, Marshall, Alvarado, and Bryant, resulting in the ejection of all four players from the game. In a subsequent statement, the league clarified that Butler and Marshall received suspensions for “instigating and engaging” in the altercation.
Alvarado and Bryant faced suspension not only for leaving the bench area (as they were not in the game at the time) but also for their involvement in the fight. Jovic, despite not being directly engaged in physical contact, received an automatic suspension for entering the court from Miami’s bench area during the altercation.
All five players will commence serving their suspensions in their respective team’s next game. Alvarado and Marshall will miss the Pelicans’ game against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night, while Butler, Bryant, and Jovic will begin their suspensions on Monday night when the Heat play the Sacramento Kings.
