If you thought a head coach’s ejection and Joel Embiid fighting with a female ref was all the drama you needed this year. Hold up, Naji Marshall and Jusuf Nurkic got you more. The Dallas Mavericks-Phoenix Suns game had a major on-court fallout that got everybody talking.
The Mavericks’ Naji Marshall found himself in hot water after throwing a punch at Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic during an intense game. In the third quarter, Nurkic confronted Marshall’s teammate after being called for an offensive foul. In defense of his fellow player, Marshall retaliated with a punch that some fans on Instagram quickly slammed as “weak.”
This prompted Marshall to respond directly to fans, challenging one critic to step up and say that to his face. Another fan tried trolling him, saying he missed punching Nurkic in his initial strike and basketball players can’t fight. Marshall didn’t let that slide and hit back, suggesting the fan try one of his punches on him.
Naji Marshall standing on business 💀
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 28, 2024
(h/t @BricksCenter) pic.twitter.com/vdhw3sUdXe
The fallout from this altercation didn’t stop with social media banter; it led to some concrete consequences as well. The NBA handed down suspensions following the scuffle, with Marshall receiving a four-game suspension for his punch. Nurkic faced a three-game suspension for instigating the fight, while PJ Washington was docked a game for escalating the situation.
Despite the drama and the ejections of all three players, the Mavericks managed to secure a 98-89 victory over the Suns, maintaining their strong season record.
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What Exactly Happened Between Naji Marshall And Jusuf Nurkic?
During the last night’s fiery matchup between the Suns and the Mavs, things took a dramatic turn in the third quarter. Jusuf Nurkic and Naji Marshall found themselves entangled in a heated altercation that ultimately led to both players being ejected from the game. The Suns were struggling, down by 16 points, and emotions were clearly running high.
— Sports Vids (@magicvibesio) December 28, 2024
After the referee called Nurkic for an offensive foul against Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, he let his frustration bubble over. What started as a verbal exchange soon escalated when Nurkic approached Marshall, who initially tried to hold him back by placing his hands on Nurkic’s chest. In a flash, Nurkic slapped Marshall on the head, prompting Marshall to retaliate with a punch that hit Nurkic’s ear, sending the game into chaos.
Almost instantly, the altercation drew in other players, with P.J. Washington rushing in and pushing Nurkic to the ground. As officials and security scrambled to break things up, coaches restrained players from both benches. Fans were quick to react on social media, expressing their excitement for the next meeting between the Suns and Mavericks.
