Jose Alvarado and Mark Williams were involved in a heated physical confrontation during a game in New Orleans on Saturday night. Late in the third quarter of the Phoenix Suns’ 123-114 victory over the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center, Alvarado entered the game and tried to dodge a screen set by the much taller Williams. Alvarado pushed Williams with both hands but was called for a foul.
Alvarado briefly argued with the referee before turning toward Williams, which quickly escalated into a scuffle. Both players threw punches, with Alvarado seemingly landing a hit to Williams’ face before the fight was broken up. Both were ejected, and the NBA plans to announce further disciplinary actions soon.
At the time of the incident, Williams had scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench. The 24-year-old is in his rookie season with the Suns, averaging 13.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Alvarado, in his fifth season with New Orleans, contributed seven points and three assists and recently signed a two-year, $9 million extension.
Despite the Pelicans controlling possession late in the game, the Suns maintained their lead throughout the second half, ultimately winning by nine points. Tensions flared again after the final buzzer when Royce O’Neal faced Zion Williamson near half court, but the situation quickly defused without escalating.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 20 points, helping Phoenix improve to an 18-13 season record and claim four wins in their last five games, including consecutive victories against the Pelicans in New Orleans. Dillon Brooks scored 18 points, while Collin Gillespie contributed 17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
Trey Murphy led the Pelicans with 24 points, hitting six of nine three-pointers. Williamson added 22 points off the bench, and D’Eriq Queen posted a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. New Orleans is currently on a three-game losing streak, holding an 8-25 record this season.
Fan Take: This altercation highlights the intense passion and physicality that can emerge on the basketball court, reminding fans how competitive and emotional the sport can be. It also raises questions about player discipline and how the NBA will handle such incidents to maintain the integrity of the game.
