At the team level, 10 games separate the Suns and Pelicans in the standings. At the individual level, 11 inches separate Phoenix center Mark Williams and New Orleans guard Jose Alvarado in height.
However, NBA melees have a way of bringing every strand of squad and player together. On Saturday, Williams and Alvarado exchanged contact during a third-quarter sequence that quickly morphed into full-on shoving. At one point, Alvarado reached up and appeared to throw a closed-fist punch at the Duke product.
Officials ejected both players after the fight, and the Suns eventually finished off a 123–114 win. Williams finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, while Alvarado contributed seven points to his team.
JOSE ALVARADO VS MARK WILLIAMS
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) December 28, 2025
FEATHER WEIGHT VS HEAVY WEIGHT BOUT pic.twitter.com/2H80S9mB42
Alvarado has enjoyed an agitator role throughout his five-year career, but this incident appeared to shock even his Pelicans teammates.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 28, 2025
The loss dropped New Orleans to 8-25 on the season while a surprising Phoenix outfit moved to 18-13. That won't prevent Pelicans fans from basking in Alvarado's feistiness—they have to celebrate something this season.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Jose Alvarado Challenges 7'1" Mark Williams in Suns-Pelicans Fracas.
