Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is among five players suspended for their role in an on-court altercation with the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. The NBA announced on Sunday that Butler and Pelicans forward Naji Marshall were each suspended one game for instigating and engaging in the altercation.
Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado and Heat center Thomas Bryant were both suspended three games without pay for leaving the bench area during the altercation and fighting. Miami forward Nikola Jovic was also suspended one game for leaving the bench.
The incident occurred after Pelicans forward Zion Williamson stole the ball from Butler and went up for a layup. Butler wrapped up Williamson, which Williamson later stated he believed was an attempt to protect him from a fall. The altercation escalated between Butler and Marshall, leading to their ejections from the game.
Alvarado and Bryant engaged in a physical altercation near the scorer's table after the initial scuffle had been broken up. Love was assessed a common foul during the incident.
As a result of the suspensions, Marshall will miss the Pelicans' upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls, while Alvarado will be sidelined for the Bulls' game as well as the subsequent road trip against the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers. Butler and Jovic will sit out the Heat's game against the Sacramento Kings, and Bryant will be unavailable for the remainder of the Heat's road trip, which includes matchups against Portland and Denver.
