The NBA has handed down suspensions following a physical altercation that marred Saturday’s contest between the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns. What began as an intense, hard-fought game devolved into chaos during the third quarter, prompting officials to eject two players and forcing disciplinary action from the league office.
The confrontation unfolded during Phoenix’s 123-114 victory at the Smoothie King Center, the second consecutive night these teams met. A routine defensive play quickly deteriorated into a physical exchange that required immediate intervention from league officials.
League hands down suspensions
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the NBA has issued suspensions to both players involved. “The NBA is suspending New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado for two games and Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams for one game after their fight Saturday night, sources tell ESPN,” the senior NBA insider posted on X.
The incident occurred late in the third quarter near midcourt. As Suns guard Collin Gillespie moved off the ball, Williams set a screen that Alvarado aggressively contested, drawing a foul call. Seconds later, Williams shoved Alvarado from behind, sparking a direct confrontation between the two players.
The situation escalated rapidly as both threw punches before teammates and officials intervened. Referees immediately ejected both players from the game.
Neither Alvarado nor Williams addressed the media following the contest. Suns head coach Jordan Ott offered measured commentary on the incident, attributing it partly to the demanding schedule rather than placing blame on either player.
“I saw it start, and then all of a sudden everyone jumped in,” Ott explained. “Second night of a back-to-back, lack of sleep something always tends to happen. They got tangled up, and obviously, they both got thrown out.”
Game continues despite disruption
Phoenix maintained its composure despite the disruption. Williams contributed 10 points and eight rebounds in just 11 minutes before his ejection. Devin Booker paced the Suns with 20 points, while Royce O’Neale emphasized the team effort needed to secure the win.
“Yesterday was a dog fight, and today was a dog fight,” O’Neale said. “It took everybody to get this win.”
The defeat dropped New Orleans to 8-25 on the season. Alvarado finished with seven points and two steals before his early exit, while Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 24 points, including six three-pointers.
The suspensions will now force both teams to adjust their rotations. Phoenix continues its road swing with a matchup against Washington, while New Orleans returns home to face New York.
-
-
-
-
