Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is among five players suspended for their role in Friday night’s on-court altercation with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Butler and Pelicans forward Naji Marshall were each suspended one game for “instigating and engaging in” an on-court altercation, the NBA announced Sunday.
Also, Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado and Heat center Thomas Bryant were each suspended three games without pay for leaving the bench area during the on-court altercation and fighting.
Miami forward Nikola Jovic was also suspended one game for leaving the bench.
The altercation started after Pelicans forward Zion Williamson stole the ball from Butler and went up for a layup. Love wrapped up Williamson — which Williamson later told reporters he thought was trying to protect him from a fall — at the 11:19 mark of the fourth quarter.
Butler and Marshall got into it at that point and had to be separated on the court. Alvarado and Bryant met at the scorer’s table and started fighting after the initial scuffle had been broken up.
In the game, Butler, Marshall, Alvarado and Bryant were ejected. Love was assessed a common foul.