The NBA suspends three players involved in the altercation between the Mavericks and the Suns

CNN
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The National Basketball Association (NBA) has suspended three players who were involved in an altercation between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Mavericks forward Naji Marshall has been suspended four games without pay and Suns center Jusuf Nurkić has been suspended three games without pay for “engaging in an altercation on the court,” executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars announced Saturday.

Mavericks forward PJ Washington was also suspended one game without pay for “escalating the altercation on the court.”

In the third quarter of Dallas’ 98-89 win over Phoenix at the Footprint Center, Nurkić committed an offensive foul that led to a scuffle between him and Marshall.

The 30-year-old Nurkić swung his arm at Marshall, which resulted in Marshall throwing a punch at Nurkić.

As officials and players from both teams attempted to de-escalate the situation, Washington pushed Nurkić to the ground.

Nurkić, Marshall and Washington were all assessed technical fouls and were ejected from the game.

According to the league, the altercation did not end on the field.

Marshall “attempted to further attack Nurkić in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms.”

Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer criticized Nurkić for his role in the situation.

“I think this level of confrontation is not good for our team,” Budenholzer told reporters after the game. “It’s not good for anyone individually, it’s not good for our league. I don’t know all the details of what led to this.”

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd had a different take on the altercation.

“Protecting each other is what it was all about. Teammates, emotions can be high,” Kidd said. “For our guys to protect each other, we talk about it, it was shown tonight. It was nice to see these guys protecting each other. Now we move on, we have to prepare for Portland.”

Marshall will serve his four-game suspension and Washington will serve his one-game suspension on Saturday when the Mavericks visit the Portland Trail Blazers.

Nurkić will also serve his suspension on Saturday when the Suns visit the Golden State Warriors.