• Loading stock data...
Saturday, April 26, 2025

Holiday Hostility: NBA Fights Lead to Suspensions, Costly Fines

Two major altercations in the NBA over the weekend resulted in multiple ejections.

Erik Williams-Imagn Images

It may be the holiday season, but there’s some hostile energy floating around the NBA. Two fights resulted in multiple ejections and suspensions during the final weekend of the calendar year. 

The first occurred during Friday’s game between the Mavericks and Suns when Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkić struck Mavericks forward Naji Marshall on the head. Marshall threw a punch back that hit Nurkić in the face. Marshall was suspended four games without pay as according to the NBA, he “attempted to further engage Nurkić in a hostile manner” outside the locker rooms. Nurkić received a three-game suspension, while Dallas forward P.J. Washington was suspended one game for escalating the on-court altercation.

Two days later, six players and coaches were ejected in the final minute of the game between the Rockets and Heat following an altercation between Houston’s Amen Thompson and Miami’s Tyler Herro. Thompson grabbed Herro by his jersey and threw him to the ground, which referee Marc Davis described as a “body slam.” Players and coaches then rushed to the scene, which led to ejections for Thompson and Herro, Rockets guard Jalen Green, head coach Ime Udoka, assistant coach Ben Sullivan; and Heat guard Terry Rozier. The NBA has yet to announce any suspensions for the incident.

The NBA has cracked down on fighting over the last few decades—especially since the infamous Malice at the Place in 2004—but these incidents aren’t exactly rare. The NBA PR tracks all the league’s suspensions, and there have been five other incidents of suspensions due to physical altercations this calendar year, including Joel Embiid from earlier this season after he shoved a media member. The fact the latest two incidents were just two days apart is likely nothing more than a coincidence.

According to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, a suspension of fewer than 20 games results in a reduction of 1/145th of a player’s salary per game (1/110th if the suspension were more than 20 games). Nurkić’s three-game suspension results in a loss of $375,000 from his $18.13 million salary, while Marshall will lose about $236,500 and Washington about $107,000. 

While it’s unclear if there will be any suspensions from the Rockets–Heat game, a potential suspension would cost around $200,000 per game for Herro and $64,000 for Thompson.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Goodell: Three NFL Games Every Christmas Moving Forward

The league is returning to scheduling three games on the holiday this season.

Knicks, Rangers to See Big Cut in MSG Networks Media-Rights Fees

The teams will each see big reductions in their local media-rights fees.

NFL Draft Attendance in Green Bay Easily Tops Early Projections

Round 1 drew 205,000 fans in and around Lambeau Field.
Apr 20, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) celebrates his three-point basket in the first quarter against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena.

Evan Mobley’s DPOY Win Adds $45 Million to Contract

Mobley’s contract extension got more expensive with his DPOY win.

Featured Today

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.

Five QBs Drafted As Shedeur Sanders Slips to Fourth Round

Shedeur Sanders is still waiting after slipping out of the first round.
April 25, 2025

Trump Defends Sanders After Snub: ‘What Is Wrong With NFL Owners?’

He said Shedeur Sanders has “phenomenal genes” and asked if owners are “stupid.”
April 25, 2025

Ohio State’s $20M Roster Sends 7 Players to NFL in First Two..

The NIL-fueled title team had more draftees than all of the Big 12.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
Sponsored

Fighting for Clarity: Inside UFC’s New Partnership With Total Wireless

UFC teams with Total Wireless in a no-frills partnership built for today’s mobile-first, value-driven fanbase.
MLB Speedway Classic rendering
April 24, 2025

Baseball Meets Bristol: Braves-Reds Game Aims for Record Crowd

Playing an MLB game inside a racetrack brings unique challenges.
April 24, 2025

Fewer NFL Draft Prospects Will Be in Green Bay. Here’s Why

There will be 15 NFL Draft prospects in Green Bay.
Vancouver
April 23, 2025

PWHL Picks Vancouver for First Expansion Team

More than 19,000 fans attended a game in Vancouver in January.