Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler and New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall have each been suspended for one game without pay following an on-court altercation during the Heat’s 106-95 win over the Pelicans on February 23 at the Smoothie King Center. The announcement was made by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.
In addition, Heat center Thomas Bryant and Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado received three-game suspensions for leaving the bench area and engaging in the brawl.
Heat forward Nikola Jović has also been suspended for one game for the same reason.
The altercation was sparked by a foul committed by Miami’s Kevin Love on New Orleans’ Zion Williamson with 11:19 left in the fourth quarter.
This led to a confrontation between Butler and Marshall, which escalated into fighting involving Alvarado and Bryant. All four players received technical fouls and were ejected from the game.
Alvarado’s suspension will take effect immediately as the Pelicans face the Chicago Bulls tonight. Marshall will also start serving his suspension in that game. Bryant’s suspension will commence on February 26, when the Heat play against the Sacramento Kings, while Butler and Jović will also begin their suspensions that night.
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