3 suspended for roles in Suns-Mavericks altercation

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall has been suspended for four games without pay, while Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić has received a three-game suspension for their roles in an on-court altercation. Additionally, Mavericks forward P.J. Washington has been suspended for one game for escalating the incident.

The altercation took place during the third quarter of the Mavericks' 98-89 victory over the Suns on December 27. It began when Nurkić committed an offensive foul, which led to a confrontation between him and Marshall. Nurkić escalated the situation by swinging his arm and hitting Marshall on the head, prompting Marshall to retaliate with a punch to Nurkić’s face. As officials and players tried to separate them, Washington further intensified the conflict by shoving Nurkić to the ground.

All three players received technical fouls and were ejected from the game. Following the incident, Marshall attempted to confront Nurkić again in a hallway outside the locker rooms.

Marshall will start serving his four-game suspension, while Washington's one-game suspension will take effect tonight as the Mavericks face the Portland Trail Blazers. Nurkić’s three-game suspension will also begin tonight when the Suns play against the Golden State Warriors.