The NBA took swift action by handing out penalties to the players involved in a brawl during the recent game between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns.
Dallas’ Naji Marshall has been suspended for four games without pay, while Phoenix’s Jusuf Nurkić received a three-game penalty (also without pay) for their roles in the altercation, as confirmed by NBA head of basketball operations Joe Dumars in a statement.
Furthermore, the Mavericks’ P.J. Washington has been suspended for one game for his part in “escalating the on-court altercation.”
Although Marshall was expected to receive a longer suspension due to throwing a punch, the NBA’s statement revealed that the Mavericks forward attempted to engage with Nurkić again after both players were ejected outside the locker rooms.
The incident unfolded in the third quarter when Nurkić elbowed Dallas center Daniel Gafford in the jaw, resulting in an offensive foul. Subsequently, Nurkić turned back in response to a comment made by Marshall.
As Marshall placed his hands on Nurkić’s chest to push him away, the Suns’ player struck Marshall in the head. Marshall retaliated by punching Nurkić with his right hand.
Here’s the sequence that led to three ejections. Nurkic extends his arm, fouls Gafford. Nurkic mushes Marshall’s head. Marshall punches back. pic.twitter.com/1yoZTP9Kyj
— Christian Clark (@cclark_13) December 28, 2024
Marshall, Nurkić, and Washington were all ejected from the game, which ended in a 98–89 victory for the Mavericks.
According to the NBA, Marshall received the lengthier suspension for initiating physical violence and attempting to reignite the conflict. His decision to use an image of the altercation as the banner on his X account shortly after the incident indicated a lack of remorse for his actions. (Marshall has since changed the banner image.)
Marshall ended the game with four points, while Washington contributed seven. Nurkić scored five points before being ejected.
All three players will start serving their suspensions on Saturday. The Mavericks (20–11) will continue their road trip with a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, with key players Luka Dončić (calf strain) and Dereck Lively II (hip contusion) sidelined due to injuries. The Suns (15–15) will take on the Golden State Warriors.