Image Source: AP Photos
[Saba Sports News] Following a fracas involving the Miami Heat and the New Orleans Pelicans, the NBA has announced penalties. Jimmy Butler of the Heat and Naji Marshall of the Pelicans have been given a one-game suspension each for initiating the fracas.
Additionally, Heat’s Thomas Bryant and Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado received a three-game suspension each for their own skirmish during the event. Nikola Jovic of the Heat has also been suspended for a game for leaving the bench to participate in the conflict.
The confrontation took place in the final quarter of the game, which Miami won 106-95 in New Orleans. The situation escalated when Kevin Love’s defensive play on Zion Williamson was met with disapproval from Marshall, leading to a physical exchange between Marshall and Butler.
Subsequently, Bryant and Alvarado escalated the situation further by exchanging blows near the sidelines, prompting Jovic, who was not in play at the time, to enter the fray.
The suspensions handed down were anticipated for the Pelicans, while the Heat might feel fortunate that only three of their players were suspended. Video evidence suggested that other Heat players, such as Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Caleb Martin, also left the bench during the altercation, actions typically warranting automatic suspensions similar to Jovic’s.
However, the league decided to limit the disciplinary action to suspending three players from the Heat and two from the Pelicans.