Jimmy Butler missed the Miami Heat’s three previous games. But upon his return for Friday night’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, he resumed his customary high level of intensity on the court. However, that intensity escalated slightly too much.

Butler found himself involved in a scuffle during the early fourth quarter, resulting in his ejection from the game, along with Heat teammate Thomas Bryant and Pelicans players Naji Marshall and Jose Alvarado. This altercation led to both benches clearing at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Now, the Brawl might have severe consequences for those involved, including Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.

Bam Adebayo & Co. could be facing the Heat

According to a recent report by reporter Ira Winderman on X, “Based on this video and the NBA’s rule of leaving the bench area, it would appear Thomas Bryant, Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jovic, Tyler Herro and, possibly, Caleb Martin, will be suspended for Monday’s game in Sacramento. The rule: ‘During an altercation, all players not participating in the game must remain in the immediate vicinity of their bench. Violators will be subject to suspension, without pay, for a minimum of one game and fined up to $50,000.’”

The altercation erupted less than one minute into the fourth quarter when Naji Marshall reacted strongly to a tough foul by Miami’s Kevin Love on Pelicans’ standout Zion Williamson. Jimmy Butler intervened, leading to a grappling match between the two players on the court. Staffers and players from both teams quickly rushed out onto the floor in an attempt to separate the two forwards.

Trending

Bronny in Deep Waters as $800,000 Suffering Forces LeBron James’ Son to End College Career With Major Declining Numbers

April 27, 2024 01:45 PM EDT

Bronny’s Suffering Doesn’t Affect Brother Bryce as LeBron James’ Younger Son Sees Stability Financially

April 28, 2024 02:24 PM EDT

Lakers Advised To Terminate LeBron James’ $99 Million Contract, a Move That Could Save His Legacy

April 28, 2024 06:14 AM EDT

“Doesnt Really Care”: Fans Slam Chicago Sky for Dull Welcome to Angel Reese, Satisfying Caitlin Clark Faithful More

April 28, 2024 02:01 PM EDT

“It Will Ruin the Game”: Citing Caitlin Clark’s Example, Geno Auriemma Warns WNBA

April 27, 2024 03:31 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

The involvement of the teams only served to escalate the situation, particularly when Bryant and Alvarado confronted each other chest-to-chest in front of the scorers’ table, exchanging shoves just as tensions seemed to be calming down.

Once again, both sides rushed in to separate their teammates, finally succeeding after nearly a minute of disruption. Following a review, the four players involved in the altercation were promptly ejected from the game, which resumed with the Heat leading 84–80. Despite Butler’s absence, Miami ultimately secured a 106–95 victory.

Update: The NBA announced suspensions for five players, including Jimmy Butler and Naji Marshall. After this was announced, the Miami Heat player issued a response on social media. And (hilariously) blamed one of his teammates for it.

‘Bad Boys’ Butler and Nikola Jovic to miss the Heat’s next game

Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, and the Pelicans’ Naji Marshall have all been handed a one-game suspension without pay for the incident at Smoothie King Center. While Butler and Marshall were penalized for instigating the fight, Jovic will miss the Heat’s game against the Sacramento Kings for leaving the bench and joining the altercation. That wasn’t all, though.

Thomas Bryant and Jose Alvarado have both received three-game suspensions without pay for their parts in the fight (and restarting it). After the announcement, Heat HC Erik Spoelstra said, “I felt like Jimmy shouldn’t have gotten a game. It was really just kind of a tangling and a little bit of pushing. I don’t think that deserves another game ’cause he ended up having to miss the fourth quarter.” While Spoelstra said this, Butler took to Instagram to share his thoughts.

He posted a photoshopped image of the Bad Boys poster, superimposing his and Jovic’s faces. He also posted a scene from the film, expressing just how he felt about the suspension. But it was the caption that caught everyone’s attention. He wrote, “It was all @nikolajovicc fault.” Whether or not it was the 20-year-old’s fault, do you think all their suspensions were deserved? Not to mention the fines they’ll have to pay.

$50,000 Escape for Penalised Jimmy Butler via A Distinctive NBA Rule