Phoenix Suns’ center Jusuf Nurkic , Mavs’ Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington ejected after fight.The True story
Phoenix Suns’ center Jusuf Nurkic and Dallas Mavericks forwards Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington Jr. were ejected after an altercation between the three in the second half of Friday’s game at Footprint Center.
Nurkic was called for an offensive foul with 9:02 left in the third quarter. The 7-footer was walking to the other end of the court, when he turned around and started moving toward Kyrie Irving, Washington, Marshall and Mavs’ big Daniel Gafford, who was still on the floor.
Standing beside Washington, Marshall said something to Nurkic, who slapped him on the side of the head. Marshall threw a punch in retaliation as Nurkic got in a second punch and Washington shoved Nurkic in the back.
Security and players stepped in between the two as all three needed to be restrained. Suns’ rookie Ryan Dunn pulled Nurkic away as Washington was shoving him.
Nurkic, Washington and Marshall each received a technical foul and were ejected from the game.
Kevin Durant hit a technical free throw as the Suns were awarded one. The Suns trailed 60-45 after the free throw.
Suns Fall Flat on Offense in Loss to Mavericks
The Phoenix Suns (15-15) will not be sweeping the Dallas Mavericks (20-11) in the season series between the two teams after a 98-89 loss loss on Friday night at Footprint Center
Tonight marked the third game that star guard Devin Booker has missed – while Dallas was without MVP candidate Luka Doncic and starting C Dereck Lively II.
Dallas jumped out to a quick 14-4 start to the game, but Phoenix stormed back to bring the game within 3 after one quarter. Dallas lead 28-25 to that point.
A 15-6 Dallas run – which was spearheaded by some head-scrathing play from Phoenix – took the two teams into the locker room. Dallas expanded the lead to 55-39 with the run.
The Suns continued to fight despite losing Jusuf Nurkic to ejection when a mini-brawl broke out with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter, but Dallas fought back with counter-runs of their own.
Phoenix ended up cutting the Dallas lead to 72-64 after 36 minutes of action.
The Suns cut the deficit to 81-75 roughly halfway into the final frame – but a Quentin Grimes three-point hit brought the lead back up to three possessions.
The Suns were unable to score for roughly three minutes after cutting the lead to 6 – and that is what ultimately did them in tonight.
Key Performances
Kevin Durant – 35 PTS, 3 REB, 11-19 FG
Bradley Beal – 11 PTS, 4 AST, 2 STL, 5-18 FG
Royce O’Neale – 14 PTS, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 5-9 3PT
Kyrie Irving – 20 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 6-21 FG
Klay Thompson – 11 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 4-9 FG
Leave a Reply