Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Watch: Three players ejected after ugly Suns-Mavericks brawl

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Dec 28, 2024 9:38 AM ET

Ever since the Mavericks stunned the Suns in the 2022 playoffs, the two teams have shared a palpable disdain for one another.

The latest chapter in their rivalry unfolded Friday, even with the two main actors — Luka Doncic and Devin Booker — sidelined with injuries.

With 9:02 left in the third quarter of Dallas' 98-89 victory, Suns center Jusuf Nurkic got into a tussle with Mavericks wings Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington, leading to all three players being ejected.

The brawl escalated after Nurkic was called for an offensive foul while guarded by Mavs big man Daniel Gafford. Just as Gafford fell to the floor, Marshall confronted Nurkic, who took an open-handed swing at the Mavericks forward. Once Marshall responded with a punch of his own, Washington stepped in and shoved Nurkic to the ground. The teams had to be separated by officials and coaches.

Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington were all ejected after this scuffle in Mavs-Suns. pic.twitter.com/A3Gk7eBYlI
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 28, 2024

After the game, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer and superstar forward Kevin Durant both lamented the turn of events.

"I think that level of altercation is not good for our team, it's not good for anybody individually, it's not good for our league," Budenholzer rued, via ESPN.

Durant referred to the incident as an "unfortunate situation" but understood why the Mavs responded the way they did.

"You hate to see that in this game," Durant said. "Guys are going to get suspended maybe and lose a lot of money doing that. But that's what happens when you compete sometimes. Tempers flare up a little bit and you go overboard. And then on the other side, you try and protect yourself, as well."

The loss marked the Suns' fourth defeat in their last five games and meant they further slipped in the tight race for a play-in spot in the West. The 15-15 Suns now find themselves as the 11th seed after starting the new season with an 8-1 record.

As for the Mavericks, the victory was a morale booster as it marked their first after Doncic was sidelined with a calf strain.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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