Things got feisty during the Suns’ 123-114 win over the Pelicans on Saturday.
Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado got into it with Suns big man Mark Williams late in the third quarter, which ultimately resulted in both players getting ejected.
Alvarado, 27, shoved Williams as he attempted to get around a screen set by the center.
As Alvarado went to complain to the referees after a whistle was blown, Williams, 24, shoved him back, with the two confronting each other.
In just seconds the altercation turned physical, with the two throwing several punches towards each other, and Alvarado landing a blow in Williams’ face, who is 13 inches taller than him.
The pair were eventually separated by teammates and officials and were tossed from the game.
Before his ejection, Williams had 10 points and eight rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench for the Suns.
Alvarado had seven points, three assists, and two steals for New Orleans in 14 minutes.
The NBA is likely to dish out fines and suspensions for both players in the coming days. with the rulebook saying that “a fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or suspension may be imposed upon such person(s) by the Commissioner at his sole discretion,” as a result of fighting during games.
Suns head coach Jordan Ott claimed that he did not see the fight, saying that these things tend to happen on the second half of a back-to-back against the same team.
“I didn’t see it. I mean, I saw it start, and then all of a sudden, everyone jumped in it, so I haven’t gone back to look at it,” Ott told reporters following the game. “Obviously, that’s what happens. It just feels like a lack of sleep.
“The second night of back-to-back, something always tends to happen.”
