On Monday night, a brawl between Miami and New Orleans will keep some Heat players from playing the Sacramento Kings.
The altercation started on Friday night just after the fourth quarter started when Zion Williamson of New Orleans was fouled by Miami’s Kevin Love.
“[Jose] Alvarado and [Thomas] Bryant started fighting after [Jimmy] Butler and [Naji] Marshall got into a physical altercation after that foul,” the NBA stated in a news statement. “Alvarado, Bryant, Butler, and Marshall were given technical fouls for their roles in the game and were ejected.”
Due to the incident, Jimmy Butler, Thomas Bryant, and Nikola Jović will not be available for the Heat’s Monday night match against the Sacramento Kings.
According to a press release from Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations, “Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler and New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall have each been suspended one game without pay for instigating and engaging in an on-court altercation during the Heat’s 106-95 victory over the Pelicans on February 23 at Smoothie King Center.” Additionally, for fighting and fleeing the bench area during an on-court brawl, Heat center Thomas Bryant and Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado have both been suspended for three games without pay. Heat player Nikola Jović was involved in an on-court fight after exiting the bench area and has been suspended for one game without pay.
