Frustrations were growing in Phoenix on a Friday night where both teams struggled to generate offense without a star — Luka Doncic and Devin Booker were out. Then things escalated quickly when Jusuf Nurkic picked up an offensive foul trying to plow through Daniel Gafford, and then Gafford’s teammate Naji Marshall stepped in to stand up for his teammate.
Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington were all ejected after this scuffle in Mavs-Suns. pic.twitter.com/A3Gk7eBYlI
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 28, 2024
In the confrontation, Nurkic slaps Marshall in the face, and Marshall responds with a punch that appears to partially catch Nurkic on the side of the face. However, a shove from PJ Washington sent Nurkic to the ground.
Nurkic, Marshall and Washington were all ejected. The league will likely suspend Nurkic and Marshall for their actions, although Washington may get away with a healthy fine.
After the game, Kyrie Iring stepped up and said he would cover any fines his teammates get, adding with a laugh, “Maybe that’s just the way we end 2024 where somebody actually swings in the NBA. Maybe that will help our ratings.”
Mike Budenholzer on the Jusuf Nurkic altercation: "I think that level of altercation is not good for our team. It’s not good for anybody individually, it’s not good for our league. I don’t know all the details of what got it to that point." pic.twitter.com/YpTt8JxBQq
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) December 28, 2024
Bradley Beal on the Jusuf Nurkic altercation: "I think it was just a frustration play....take whatever happens to him on the chin, cuz I know he's gonna get hit with something, but we support him, man....He was probably frustrated with how the game was going. We all were."
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) December 28, 2024
The Mavericks went on to win the low-scoring affair 98-89 behind a balanced attack led by Irving’s 20, plus 16 points and some emphatic dunks from Gafford. Kevin Durant had 35 points for the Suns.
