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Mavericks Triumph Overshadowed by On-Court Brawl; Sacramento Kings Fire Coach Mike Brown

Posted : 28 December 2024

The Dallas Mavericks secured a 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Suns in their first game without injured star Luka Doncic, but the night will be remembered for an on-court altercation that erupted in the third quarter. Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic confronted Dallas' Naji Marshall after being called for an offensive foul, leading Marshall to punch Nurkic in the face. The brawl escalated when Dallas' P.J. Washington knocked down Nurkic, prompting the referees to eject all three players involved.

 

 

Reacting to the incident, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd defended his players, saying, "Emotions can be high, and our guys protect each other. That’s what happened tonight." Kyrie Irving echoed Kidd’s sentiments with a touch of sarcasm, remarking, "That’s how we end 2024, with someone punching in the NBA. Maybe it’ll help us in the metrics."

 

On the opposing side, Suns star Kevin Durant described the confrontation as an "unfortunate situation," emphasizing the financial and disciplinary consequences that may follow but acknowledging the competitive heat of the moment. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer also condemned the altercation, stating, "This is not good for our team, nor for our league."

 

Meanwhile, off the court, the Sacramento Kings announced the surprising dismissal of coach Mike Brown just 31 games into the season, despite his recent three-year contract extension. The Kings, with an 18-13 record, are currently out of the playoff spots, and the decision has drawn criticism from NBA figures. Denver coach Mike Malone, who was fired by Sacramento in 2015, remarked, "They have no honor," adding, "I’m not surprised Mike Brown was fired because I was let go by the same person."

 

Hall of Famer George Karl, also fired by the Kings in 2016, voiced similar sentiments, saying, "The same owners, the same way—it’s not going to change. Sacramento deserves an owner who respects authority, responsibility, loyalty, and good coaching." Karl lamented the challenges NBA coaches face, calling for better recognition of their contributions in the face of such instability.

 

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