Jimmy Butler, Four Players Suspended After Throat-Clutching Brawl
Five NBA players received suspensions Sunday — stemming from a Friday night skirmish between the Heat and Pelicans where a New Orleans player grabbed Jimmy Butler by the throat, leading to a spree of shoves, F-Bombs, and even some punching.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 23: Naji Marshall #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat are involved in an altercation during the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Both players were ejected. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 23: Naji Marshall #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans is restrained during the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Smoothie King Center after an altercation with Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat on February 23, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Butler, Naji Marshall, Jose Alvarado, Thomas Bryant and Nikola Jović all received suspensions for their roles in the prime-time showdown, handed down by NBA Executive Vice President Joe Dumars. The missed games are expected to be without pay.
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Four players — Butler, Marshall, Alvarado, Bryant — were ejectedFriday as part of the unhinged quarrel.
Marshall received the most eyes in the fight for trying to start beef with a well-respected and feared All-Star like Butler. More guys would be willing to scrap with LeBron James himself than the unpredictable Butler.
Butler and Marshall were at the center of the scrap; they received a one-game suspension. Nikola Jović also received a one-game suspension. Meanwhile, Jose Alvarado and Thomas Bryant each received a three-game suspension for being the most theatrical and violent in the Friday Night fight.
READ: NBA Player Chokes Miami's Jimmy Butler During Friday Night Fight!
Tempers hit a boiling point after a hard foul by Miami's Kevin Love. Butler began jawing at the Pelicans, which prompted Marshall to step up to the eccentric Heat star and grab him by the throat after some verbal jabs. Marshall's poor decision ticked off Butler, which soon turned into Alvarado and Bryant trading punches by the scorers table. The fight appeared moments away from involving fans as neighboring Smoothie King Center attendees jawed off at the players.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 23: A Miami Heat fan is escorted by security after an altercation between Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat and Naji Marshall #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat earned the hard-fought win over the Pels, 106-95.
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