By Can Erozden
ANKARA (AA) – The NBA on Sunday suspended five players for their roles in the Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans altercation, including Miami star Jimmy Butler.
Joe Dumars, NBA executive vice president, and head of Basketball Operations, said Heat forward Butler and New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall were each "suspended one game without pay for instigating and engaging in an on-court altercation" during the match on Feb. 23 that the Heat won 106-95 at Smoothie King Center, New Orleans.
In addition, Heat center Thomas Bryant and Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado were "suspended three games without pay" for leaving their benches during the altercation and fight. Heat forward Nikola Jovic from Serbia was also suspended one game without pay for "leaving the bench area and entering an on-court altercation."
Players were involved in a fight after Heat forward-center Kevin Love committed a hard foul on Pelicans' Zion Williamson, grabbing him to prevent a layup in the early minute of the fourth quarter.
After the brawl, Heat's Butler and Bryant, and Pelicans duo Alvarado and Marshall were ejected by the referee.
The Heat are seventh in the Eastern Conference, having 31 wins and 25 losses. The Boston Celtics are the East leaders with 45 wins in 57 games.
The Pelicans are also in the seventh spot in the West as they are going 34-24.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder are the best two teams in the Western Conference as they won 40 games in 57 appearances each.