The Dallas Mavericks are now 7-2 without Luka Doncic this season after defeating the Phoenix Suns on Friday. However, with several players awaiting punishment for a brief in-game brawl, the taste of victory isn’t as sweet as it could be.
Tempers Flare As Suns, Mavs Brawl
Let’s set the stage.
After being called for an offensive foul against Daniel Gafford, Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic soon walked Mavs forward Naji Marshall down, appearing to take exception to a comment. Nurkic then shoved Marshall’s head away with an open hand, prompting the 26-year-old to throw a punch at Nurkic’s head. In an attempt to defend his teammate, PJ Washington pushed Nurkic, causing the big man to stumble and fall.
Nurkic, Marshall, and Washington then each received a technical foul and were subsequently ejected from the game.
Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington were all ejected after this scuffle in Mavs-Suns. pic.twitter.com/A3Gk7eBYlI
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 28, 2024
Following the game, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer stopped short of defending Nurkic’s actions, but called him “a competitive guy.”
“He’s a competitive guy. He’s good.”
Mike Budenholzer on Jusuf Nurkic after fight with Naji Marshal;, P.J. Washington Jr. All three were ejected.
“I don’t know all the details of what got it to that point. I don’t think you want an altercation to reach that level ever.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/TpbsGwkuQ6
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 28, 2024
Suns star guard Bradley Beal was transparent, saying it was “probably a frustration play.”
“It’s probably a frustration play. It could’ve went a little further than that. Might have got personal between him and Naji.”
Bradley Beal on Marshall-Nurkic fight.
“Ain’t nobody about to come out here and do WWE wrestling, but Nurk a big fella. I wouldn’t piss him off.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/62Bm8qjLoY
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 28, 2024
Suns superstar Kevin Durant was forward-thinking, knowing that “guys are going to get suspended maybe, lose a lot of money doing that.”
“I don’t know what it was about. I just saw a couple of punches get thrown and you hate to see that in this game because you know guys are going to get suspended maybe, lose a lot of money doing that.”
Kevin Durant on Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington. #Suns pic.twitter.com/rbvzk5i2BL
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 28, 2024
There’s no indication that any of the involved players will be suspended as of right now but it’s certainly possible. Though the melee didn’t lead to serious injuries, it was an ugly scene. More to the point, the league has been trying to avoid these types of situations since the infamous Malice In The Palace incident. With that being said, striking players with a closed-hand fist is a big no-no in the NBA.
Kyrie Irving Reacts
There isn’t much anyone can do if the league office decides that a short suspension is the appropriate course of action. However, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving is willing to take the fine for his teammates. Sharing his thoughts about the incident, he admits that he “was a little confused. It happened so quickly.”
“Throw that **** under the rug. Excuse my language.”
Kyrie Irving said he’ll pay fines for Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington after fight with Jusuf Nurkic.
“Maybe that’s just the way we end 2024 where somebody actually swings in the NBA. Maybe that will help our ratings.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/BDbvLyHkZW
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 28, 2024
“Moments like that, you just want everybody to be protecting themselves. I feel like that’s what PJ was doing for Naji. Naji after he got hit, he was just protecting himself. If we’re out on the street, even if we’re not playing basketball, you gotta put your hands up and at least swing back.”
“I’ll take care of this fine. PJ’s fine,” Irving continues, all but predicting his teammates’ punishments. “Their ejections. Yeah, throw that **** under the rug, man. Excuse my language. It’s part of basketball sometimes.”
“Maybe that’s just the way we end 2024, where somebody actually swings in the NBA,” quips the quick-witted Duke product. “Maybe that’ll help our ratings.”
