PJ Washington is suspended for a game because Jusuf Nurkic slapped his teammate

PJ Washington‘s teammates likely gained even more respect for the former Kentucky Wildcat following an incident on Friday night — even if it cost him the chance to play on Saturday.

Washington, who suits up for the Dallas Mavericks, was hit with a one-game suspension for his participation in a near-brawl that happened against the Phoenix Suns on Friday. ESPN’s Shams Charania announced the news earlier today, noting that the other two participants in the scuffle, Naji Marshall (DAL) and Jusuf Nurkic (PHX), were hit with four- and three-game suspensions, respectively.

All three players were ejected from the game and their suspensions will begin immediately.

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

The fight spawned early in the third quarter after Nurkic delivered an elbow to the face of Dallas’ Daniel Gafford, which resulted in an offensive foul on Nurkic. Marshall, who did not take too kindly to that hit, then squared up with Nurkic, who slapped Marshall across the head. Marshall responded by throwing a punch that made contact with Nurkic’s face.

This is when Washington steps in to defend his teammate. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward shoved Nurkic to the ground, which effectively ended the fight before it could escalate into anything crazier. Unfortunately (whether right or wrong), pushing an opposing player isn’t looked upon kindly by the league office, so he’ll miss a game.

From my perspective, handing out a three-game suspension to Nurkic and four to Marshall seemed a bit unfair and backward. Yes, Marshall threw a punch, but Nurkic initiated the fight. However, it was revealed after the fact that, according to Charania, Marshall “attempted to further engage Nurkic in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms.” Yeah, that’s a big no-no.

It is a tad ironic that Washington is receiving a one-game suspension for “escalating the on-court altercation” when in reality, his push is what stopped it from truly escalating. But you also can’t be shoving opponents around. At the same time, I’m impressed by Washington’s strength. Nurkic is seven feet tall and early 300 pounds. He’s not an easy one to knock over.

Now that the dust has settled, Washington will officially miss the Mavericks’ game tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s been a valuable piece to the rotation this season too, now in year six as a pro. Washington is averaging 12.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 32.4 minutes per game this season for Dallas. He’s started 24 of the 25 games he’s appeared in while shooting 44.9 percent from the field, 39.4 percent from deep, and 74.1 percent from the free throw line.