By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
As in an incident early in his rookie NBA campaign, Nikola Jovic went on the receiving end of a one-game suspension late in the 2023-24 Regular Season.
The Serbian forward of the Miami Heat and four more players were sanctioned. Following the brawl between players of the Heat and the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday the league announced penalties on Sunday.
Per the press release: “Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler and New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall have each been suspended for one game without pay for instigating and engaging in an on-court altercation during the Heat’s 106-95 victory over the Pelicans on Feb. 23 at Smoothie King Center, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
Additionally, Heat center Thomas Bryant and Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado have each been suspended three games without pay for leaving the bench area during an on-court altercation and fighting. Heat forward Nikola Jovic has been suspended one game without pay for leaving the bench area and entering an on-court altercation.
The incident began when Miami’s Kevin Love committed a foul on New Orleans’ Zion Williamson with 11:19 remaining in the fourth quarter. Following the foul, Butler and Marchall engaged in a physical altercation and then Alvarado and Bryant began fighting. For their roles, Alvarado, Bryant, Butler, and Marshall were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game.
Alvarado will begin serving his suspension tonight when New Orleans hosts the Chicago Bulls, Marshall will also serve his suspension tonight. Bryant will begin serving his suspension on Monday, Feb. 26 when the Heat visit the Sacramento Kings. Butler and Jovic will also serve their suspensions that night.”
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