> At a Glance
> – A fight between Suns center Mark Williams and Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado ended with both ejected.
> – Phoenix won 123-114, completing a two-game sweep of the back-to-back series.
> – The scuffle was sparked by a foul call on Alvarado during a ball-screen contest.
> – Why it matters: It highlights how fatigue on back-to-back nights can inflame on-court tempers and influence game outcomes.
In a dramatic Saturday night showdown in New Orleans, a physical altercation between Mark Williams and Jose Alvarado led to both players being ejected as the Phoenix Suns secured a 123-114 victory.
The Fight
The confrontation erupted in the third quarter after Alvarado was called for a foul while attempting to defend a ball-screen set by Williams. Williams shoved Alvarado, who retaliated, and the two exchanged punches before officials intervened.
Both players landed right hands before being separated and then ejected. No other players were involved.
Reactions
Suns coach Jordan Ott said he had not yet reviewed the video but blamed competitiveness and fatigue for the dustup. He noted that the second night of a back-to-back tends to trigger such incidents.
Jordan Ott said:
> “I saw it start, and then all of a sudden everyone jumped in. Obviously, it happens. It just feels like the lack of sleep the second night of a back-to-back, something always tends to happen. Last night, there were a lot of free throws; tonight there wasn’t as much. They let us play tonight, which is something we enjoy. They got tangled up, and obviously they both got thrown out.”
Pelicans coach James Borrego also said he had not been able to see video of the fight. Neither player was available to speak with reporters after the game.
Suns forward Royce O’Neale remarked on the intensity of the matchup, calling it a ‘dog fight’ both days and praising the team’s collective effort.
Royce O’Neale said:
> “Yesterday was a dog fight, and today was a dog fight. It took everybody to get this win. Everybody came in and contributed and fought hard.”
Key Takeaways
- Both Mark Williams and Jose Alvarado were ejected for fighting.
- Phoenix won 123-114, sweeping the back-to-back series.
- The incident underscores how fatigue can inflame on-court behavior.
The brawl serves as a reminder that even high-stakes games can turn volatile when players face the physical demands of consecutive nights.
