In a heated NBA matchup on December 27, 2024, between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns, a significant altercation led to the ejection of three players: Phoenix’s center Jusuf Nurkic and Dallas forwards Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington Jr.
The incident unfolded early in the third quarter when Nurkic, after being called for an offensive foul against Mavericks’ center Daniel Gafford, engaged in a confrontation with Marshall. The situation escalated rapidly as Nurkic slapped Marshall, who retaliated with a punch. Washington Jr. then intervened, pushing Nurkic, which further intensified the scuffle. Officials and players promptly intervened to separate the individuals involved.
Following the game, Suns’ star Kevin Durant addressed the incident, expressing his disapproval of such altercations on the court. Durant stated, “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.”
Mavericks’ guard Kyrie Irving also commented on the situation, offering support to his teammates. Irving revealed his intention to cover any fines incurred by Marshall and Washington Jr. He remarked, “Throw that shit under the rug. Excuse my language.” Irving further added, “Maybe that’s just the way we end 2024 where somebody actually swings in the NBA. Maybe that will help our ratings.”
The altercation had a noticeable impact on the game’s dynamics. At the time of the incident, the Mavericks were leading 60-44. Despite the disruption, Dallas maintained their composure and secured a 98-89 victory over Phoenix. Irving contributed significantly to the win, scoring 20 points, while Daniel Gafford added 16 points. The Suns, playing without key players Devin Booker and Grayson Allen due to injuries, struggled offensively, shooting only 38.6% from the field. Durant led Phoenix with 35 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.
This incident highlights the intensity and competitive nature of NBA games, especially when teams are contending with injuries to key players. Both Durant and Irving’s reactions underscore the importance of maintaining professionalism on the court, even amidst heated moments. As the season progresses, the league will likely review the altercation to determine any further disciplinary actions to uphold the standards of conduct expected in professional basketball.
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