The NBA handed out suspensions Sunday to New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado and Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams following their third-quarter fight during Saturday night’s game in New Orleans.
Alvarado was suspended two games without pay; Williams received a one-game suspension. The league said Alvarado will sit out Monday’s home matchup against the New York Knicks and Wednesday’s road game at the Chicago Bulls. Williams will miss the Suns’ visit to the Washington Wizards on Monday.
The altercation erupted after Alvarado was whistled for a foul while fighting through a screen set by the 7-foot-1 Williams to free sharpshooter Collin Gillespie, who had already hit his first five three-pointers. The 6-foot Alvarado shoved Williams, who responded with a push from behind. The two exchanged words, grabbed each other and traded right-hand punches before teammates and officials intervened. Both players were ejected.
Phoenix went on to win 123-114, completing a two-game sweep in the back-to-back set at Smoothie King Center.
Neither player spoke to reporters after the game. Suns head coach Jordan Ott attributed the incident to “competitiveness and fatigue” on the second night of the back-to-back, adding, “They got tangled up, and obviously, they both got thrown out.”
Source: ESPN
