Image Source: NBA Sports
[Saba Sports News] The matchup between the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night became contentious, resulting in a brawl involving multiple players from both teams. The incident unfolded in the fourth quarter at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La, as the Heat were ahead 84-80.
A hard foul by Heat’s Kevin Love on Pelicans’ Zion Williamson escalated tensions, leading to Naji Marshall of the Pelicans confronting Love. This action triggered a response from Heat’s Jimmy Butler, who pushed Marshall in retaliation, setting off a verbal and physical altercation between the two.
The situation seemed to be calming down when Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado and Heat’s Thomas Bryant started to fight near the scorer’s table, adding to the chaos. A unique perspective of the skirmish between Bryant and Alvarado was captured by a fan, who also recorded another spectator in a CJ McCollum jersey throwing his drink at the players involved.
The aftermath saw Butler, Marshall, Bryant, and Alvarado ejected from the game for their roles in the fracas, alongside a couple of fans who were removed for contributing to the disorder. Despite missing Butler, the Heat managed to secure a 106-95 victory over the Pelicans, with Butler contributing 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists before his ejection.