The matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans stopped being just a regular-season game and turned into a high-tension scene. During the Suns’ 123–114 victory, the contest spiraled out of control late in the third quarter after a physical altercation that ended with two players ejected and raised disciplinary alarms across the NBA.
Pelicans guard José Alvarado and Suns center Mark Williams sparked a fight that shocked players, officials, and fans. The sequence began when Alvarado, 27, shoved Williams while trying to fight through a screen set by the big man. The play drew a whistle, but instead of cooling things down, tensions escalated quickly.
As Alvarado moved toward the referees to protest the call, Williams, 24, shoved him back. Within seconds, both players squared up and went from shoving to throwing punches. Alvarado fired several blows and landed a punch to Williams’ face, despite the Suns center being 13 inches taller than him.
A night defined by indiscipline
According to a report by the New York Post, the altercation forced immediate intervention from teammates and referees, who separated the players before the situation worsened. The consequence came instantly: both players were ejected, leaving their teams with altered rotations at a critical point in the game.
Before heading to the locker room, Williams recorded 10 points and eight rebounds in just 11 minutes off the bench for Phoenix. Alvarado added seven points, three assists, and two steals in 14 minutes for New Orleans, showing intensity on both ends of the floor.
Jose Alvarado THREW PUNCHES at Mark Williams 😳
Both players have been ejected. pic.twitter.com/l7XvJ7nKR4— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) December 28, 2025
After the game, Suns head coach Jordan Ott said he did not directly witness the fight. “I didn’t see it. I mean, I saw it start and then suddenly everyone jumped in, so I haven’t seen it again,” he told reporters. Ott also linked the incident to physical fatigue. “Obviously, that’s what happens. It just looks like a lack of sleep. The second night of a back-to-back, something usually happens.”
The episode will not end with the ejections. All signs point to the NBA issuing fines and possible suspensions in the coming days. The league’s rulebook states that “a fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or suspension may be imposed on such person or persons at the Commissioner’s sole discretion” in cases involving on-court fights.
The NBA has historically taken a strict stance on incidents like this, and the circumstances do not favor those involved. Beyond the final score, the lasting image of the night was one of frustration and lost control—a clear reminder of how thin the line is between competitive intensity and indiscipline.
