NBA hands out suspensions after fracas in Phoenix
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Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) punching Phoenix Suns centre Jusuf Nurkic (20) during the third quarter on Dec 27.
PHOTO: USA TODAY SPORTS
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MIAMI - The NBA on Dec 28 suspended three players for their roles in an on-court clash during the game a day earlier between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns.
Dallas forward Naji Marshall was suspended for four games and Suns centre Jusuf Nurkic for three, while Mavericks forward P.J Washington will sit out one game.
The incident came with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter when Nurkic committed on offensive foul on Dallas’ Daniel Gifford.
“Marshall and Nurkic then engaged in an on-court altercation. Nurkic escalated it by swinging his arm and striking Marshall on top of his head. Marshall responded by throwing a punch that connected with Nurkic’s face,” the NBA said in a statement.
“As the officials and other players attempted to diffuse the situation, Washington further escalated the altercation by shoving Nurkic to the floor. For their roles, Marshall, Nurkic and Washington were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game,” the league added.
Marshall later confronted Nurkic near the locker rooms, in a “hostile manner” according to the NBA.
The NBA said the players will not be paid during their suspension periods. AFP
