After a scuffle broke out at the conclusion of the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Miami Heat game on February 23, the National Basketball Association (NBA) punished five players. For those who are sanctioned, the penalties vary from one to three games.
Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, and centre Thomas Bryant were all punished for one game apiece by the Heat, while Bryant was suspended for three games without pay. José Alvarado will miss the following three games for the Pelicans, while forward Naji Marshall only received one game.
According to the league, Butler and Marshall received suspensions for starting and participating in an on-court altercation. Bryant and Alvarado were punished for fighting and fleeing the bench area during a game on the floor. Jovic was disciplined for entering an on-court altercation after exiting the bench area.
The rationale behind the penalty
With 11:19 remaining in the fourth quarter, Kevin Love of Miami fouled Zion Williamson of New Orleans, starting the altercation. Butler and Marshall started fighting right away, and Alvarado and Bryant came off the bench to fight separately.
Just when things appeared to be calming down, Jovic got involved in another altercation that started close to the Heat bench. Experts blame the conflict on the officials’ indulgence during the game, which resulted in multiple unlawful activities being called out without the guilty individuals being called out.
In the end, the Heat prevailed 106-95. After receiving technical fouls, Alvarado, Bryant, Butler, and Marshall were removed from the game.
When will they serve their punishments?
During the game against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night, Alvarado and Marshall started serving their bans. The suspensions of Bryant, Butler, and Jovic will start on Monday, February 26, when the team plays the Sacramento Kings.
Bryant will make his comeback for the Utah Jazz game on Saturday, March 2, while Alvarado will make his comeback for the Indiana Pacers game on Friday, March 1.
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