NEW YORK – Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall has been suspended four games without pay and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić has been suspended three games without pay for their involvement in an on-court altercation, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
In addition, Mavericks forward P.J. Washington has been suspended one game without pay for escalating the on-court altercation.
The incident, which occurred with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter of the Mavericks’ 98-89 win over the Suns at Footprint Center on December 27, began after Nurkić committed an offensive foul. Marshall and Nurkić then engaged in an on-court altercation. Nurkić escalated it by swinging his arm and striking Marshall on top of his head. Marshall responded by throwing a punch that connected with Nurkić’s face. As the officials and other players attempted to diffuse the situation, Washington further escalated the altercation by shoving Nurkić to the floor. For their roles, Marshall, Nurkić and Washington were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game.
Following the on-court incident, Marshall attempted to further engage Nurkić in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms.
Marshall will begin serving his four-game suspension and Washington will serve his one-game suspension tonight when the Mavericks visit the Portland Trail Blazers. Nurkić will also begin his three-game suspension tonight when the Suns visit the Golden State Warriors.
