PJ Washington suspension: Mavericks' forward facing consequences of Jusuf Nurkic - Naji Marshall brawl explored
PJ Washington was announced as one of three players suspended for their participation in a Friday brawl between teammate Naji Marshall and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic.
Shams Charania reported Saturday that the league has suspended Marshall for four games and Nurkic for three after they exchanged blows Friday night. The insider added that Washington also received a one-game suspension for his participation in the incident.
It all started when Jusuf Nurkic was called for an offensive foul on Daniel Gafford. As he went back to defend, Naji Marshall seemingly directed some words at him. The Bosnian center walked back to where Marshall was before things quickly escalated.
Nurkic confronted Marshall before hitting him with an open hand on his head. Marshall responded with a punch before PJ Washington stepped in and shoved Nurkic to the ground. The rest of the teams got involved and separated everybody, seemingly ending the situation.
After they were ejected from the game, Marshall tried to get physical with Nurkic again outside the locker rooms, but nothing else happened.
The Mavericks secured the 98-89 win in their first game without Luka Doncic after the Slovenian star sustained a calf strain injury.
Marshall and Washington will begin serving their respective suspensions tonight when the Mavericks visit the Portland Trail Blazers. Nurkic will follow through, as the Suns take on the Golden State Warriors tonight.
Kyrie Irving promised to make nice gesture for Naji Marshall, PJ Washington
After the game was over, Kyrie Irving shared his thoughts on the brawl, saying that things happened so fast that everybody had to protect themselves at any cost.
"It happened so quickly. But in moments like that, you just want everybody to protect themselves. I felt like that's what PJ was doing for Naji. After Naji got hit, he was just protecting himself," Irving said. "If we're out on the street, even though we're not playing basketball, you have to protect yourself. You have to put your hands up and at least swing back."
More than that, he vowed to pay for Naji Marshall and PJ Washington's fines.
“Throw that s*** under the rug. Excuse my language. Maybe that's just the way we end 2024 where somebody actually swings in the NBA. Maybe that will help our ratings," he added.
Some say the NBA lacks the physicality and even violence of other eras and perhaps this can be a good start for some fans.