It started with a banal offensive foul from Jusuf Nurkic on Daniel Gafford. While his teammates help him get up, the Suns interior returns to the Dallas players and the tone rises between him and Naji Marshall.
After words, come actions. The Dallas player pushes back Jusuf Nurkic, who puts his hand on his face. Naji Marshall sees red and punches him, while PJ Washington pushes the former Portland player, who ends up on the ground.
“Everyone protected the other, that’s what happened. Emotions can quickly rise so players protect their teammates. We saw that in this part », summarizes Jason Kiddwho saw his two players being sent off in the victory of his troops.
Jusuf Nurkic did not escape the referees' viewing of the images since he too was sent to the locker room before his teammates.
This evening, the NBA announced the sanctions and it is Naji Marshall who takes the most with a four-game suspension, because his punch hit Jusuf Nurkic, but also because he tried to attack at the Phoenix pivot in the corridors of the room. The Suns player receives a three-game suspension.
As for PJ Washington, he was suspended from a meeting for getting involved in the affair.
“We don’t want to see that. The guys might get suspended and lose money because of it.”explains Kevin Durant who also goes in the direction of the Dallas coach, slipping that “It happens when there is competition and tempers get heated”. “It’s not good for our team, nor for our players and nor for the league”insists Mike Budenholzer for his part.
