The NBA has come down hard on the Dallas Mavericks’ Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington and the Phoenix Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic following their roles in an ugly on-court fight and subsequent locker room altercation during the Mavs’ 98-89 victory on Friday night.
Significant Suspensions Handed Out
Marshall, who threw a punch at Nurkic after the Suns center took a swing at his head, received the heftiest penalty with a four-game suspension without pay. Nurkic, the instigator of the melee, was suspended for three games, while Washington got a one-game ban for shoving Nurkic to the ground and escalating the situation.
The incident occurred midway through the third quarter when Nurkic was called for an offensive foul while being guarded by Daniel Gafford. An irate Nurkic then confronted Marshall, leading to the violent exchange of blows.
Heated Rivalry Reaches Boiling Point
Marshall attempted to further engage Nurkic in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms following the on-court incident.
– NBA statement on the suspensions
The bad blood between these Western Conference foes spilled over after the final buzzer, with Marshall seeking out Nurkic near the locker rooms to continue their dispute, the NBA detailed. This undoubtedly factored into the lengthier suspension for the Mavericks forward.
Playoff Implications for both Teams
The timing of the suspensions is less than ideal for either squad. The Mavericks, currently sitting at 5th in the West, will have to make do without two rotational pieces in Marshall and Washington for their upcoming games. The Suns, meanwhile, lose their starting center Nurkic for a crucial stretch as they attempt to claw out of the play-in spots and secure a top 6 seed.
It remains to be seen how these absences will impact the tight Western Conference playoff race. Both Dallas and Phoenix can ill afford any slip-ups as they jockey for position over the final weeks of the regular season.
Players to Begin Serving Suspensions Immediately
Marshall and Washington are set to begin their suspensions tonight as the Mavs visit the Portland Trail Blazers. Nurkic will also start serving his ban as the Suns take on the Warriors in Golden State.
- Naji Marshall: 4 game suspension (Mavericks)
- Jusuf Nurkic: 3 game suspension (Suns)
- P.J. Washington: 1 game suspension (Mavericks)
This unfortunate incident mars what was otherwise a spirited and competitive game between two talented teams. It also serves as a cautionary tale about keeping one’s emotions in check, even in the heat of a playoff race. The Mavericks and Suns must now regroup and push forward without some key contributors for the time being.
