Tempers Flare in Heat-Pelicans Game, Results in Multiple Suspensions
Friday’s NBA slate of games saw a lot of action, but none as crazy as the brawl started in New Orleans between the Miami Heat and the New Orleans Pelicans. The NBA has issued suspensions to five players from the game.
The brawl initially started with Pelicans forward Zion Williamson stealing the ball from Heat guard Jimmy Butler on the start of a fastbreak. As Williamson attempted to score inside after the steal, Heat forward Kevin Love looked to intentially foul Williamson by wrapping him up. With Williamson on the ground, teammate Naji Marshall quickly came to his defense by giving Love a little shove in the back. This is where things really escalted as Butler then intervened by shoving Marshall back, which started a brawl with both teams.
Just when it seemed like the smoke was about to clear, Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado and Heat center Thomas Bryant started their own scuffle near the scorer’s table. Bryant attempted to throw a punch at Alvarado, which led to Alvarado trying to climb on top of the scorer’s table to get to Bryant.
Here is the full clip of the brawl:
Officials handed double technicals for Butler, Marshall, Alvarado, and Bryant after the scuffle. This led to their ejection in the game.
The NBA handed out one-game suspensions to Butler, Marshall, and Heat forward Nikola Jovic. Jovic, although not involved with the physical fight, left the Heat’s bench area. Per NBA rules, this is “an automatic suspension when an altercation breaks out.” Alvarado and Bryant were both given three-game suspensions for their escalation of the altercation.
Butler, Jovic, and Bryant will all miss their next game on Monday against the Sacramento Kings. Alvarado and Marshall will miss the Pelicans next game against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night.