At a Glance
> At a Glance
> – Mark Williams and Jose Alvarado suspended after a Friday night fight.
> – Williams: 1-game, Alvarado: 2-game suspension, no pay.
> – The game ended 123-114 in favor of the Phoenix Suns.
> – Why it matters: Both teams miss key players in upcoming games, affecting playoff chances.
A brawl in the third quarter of last night’s NBA matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans has led to suspensions for two players and could alter the course of both teams’ seasons.
The Fight
The altercation began after a foul call on Alvarado. Williams shoved him in the back, prompting a heated exchange that ended in punches and ejections.
- Alvarado pushed Williams out of the way while defending and was called for a foul.
- Williams shoved Alvarado and both landed right hands.
- The fight was broken up by officials, and both were ejected.
Suspensions and Game Impact
The NBA announced the penalties on Sunday, with Williams missing Monday night’s game against the Washington Wizards and Alvarado missing the home game against the New York Knicks on Monday and the away game at the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.
| Player | Suspension | Missed Games |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Williams | 1 game | Washington Wizards (Mon) |
| Jose Alvarado | 2 games | New York Knicks (Mon), Chicago Bulls (Wed) |
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-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.”
Key Takeaways
- Williams and Alvarado face suspensions that will impact upcoming games.
- The fight broke out after a defensive play and escalated quickly.
- Both teams will play without key contributors for short stretches.
The suspensions add another layer of uncertainty to the Suns’ and Pelicans’ playoff pushes.
