The Dallas Mavericks secured a 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday, but the game made headlines for reasons beyond basketball. A heated altercation between Suns center Jusuf Nurkic and Mavericks guard Naji Marshall escalated into a full-blown fight. Following the incident, the NBA announced suspensions for both players.
Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins expressed his dissatisfaction with the league’s ruling. Perkins took to social media, arguing that the punishment for Marshall was excessive. “The league got this one wrong. Nurkic started and swung first. Marshall should have only gotten 2 games max,” Perkins wrote on X.
The league got this one wrong. Nurkic started and swung first. Marshall should have only gotten 2 games max. https://t.co/3ZIdrb0sE3
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 28, 2024
Naji Marshall received a four-game suspension, while Jusuf Nurkic was handed a three-game ban. The league also suspended Mavericks forward P.J. Washington for one game without pay for escalating the altercation.
NBA Fans React To Kendrick Perkins’ Opinion On Naji Marshall And Jusuf Nurkic’s Suspension
The altercation began when Jusuf Nurkic swung his arm and struck Marshall on the top of his head. Marshall also could not resist his anger, so he gave an immediate reply with a punch to Nurkic’s face.
However, tensions flared even further when Mavericks forward P.J. Washington entered the fray, shoving Nurkic to the ground and intensifying the chaos. The incident left the crowd stunned and brought the game to a halt as officials worked to regain control.
Meanwhile, Kendrick Perkins’ post has already created a lot of buzz on social media. Similar to Perkins, many fans shared the view that the punishment was too harsh, arguing that the league should not penalize a player more harshly for simply defending himself.
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Agreed! Nurkic crossed the line first. Even though Naji elevated it, Nurkic was the problem here
— NickG (@G_Nick972) December 29, 2024
Agree
— Deborah Murry (@dmurry) December 29, 2024
Spit facts! No way you should punish a man more for defending himself
— Dan (@Pastyourprime25) December 29, 2024
However, some fans also defended the decision. A segment of fans pointed out that Marshall reportedly tried to confront Nurkic near the locker rooms after both players were ejected, suggesting that his actions warranted the punishment.
Naji tried to fuck him up in the tunnel too. But facts don’t fit your racist ass narrative
— drew (@drewsef22) December 28, 2024
Marshall attempted to go after him near the locker rooms after both of them left the court.
— Raul 🇵🇷🇺🇸🇵🇭🤘🏽 (@romanrauljr) December 28, 2024
BREAKING: Naji Marshall attempted to “further engage Nurkic in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms.”
— Mitch Deck (@deck_mitch11840) December 28, 2024
All you need to do is wait and see all the reports instead of doing what you do as always
Amid the controversy, the league’s handling of the situation and Commissioner Adam Silver’s leadership came under scrutiny. Many also took subtle jabs at the league, accusing it of imposing overly severe punishments to maintain its image. Marshall, Nurkic, and Washington will serve their suspension starting Saturday.
