NBA players suspended multiple games after ugly on-court fight

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Three NBA players have been suspended after a fight broke out on Friday night between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.

Mavs forward Naji Marshall was hit with a four-game fan, while Jusuf Nurkic of Phoenix will miss the next three games for coming to blows on the court.

PJ Washington of Dallas will also serve a one-game suspension for escalating the situation.

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Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) punches Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) during the third quarter at Footprint Center.  (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Nurkic was called for an offensive foul while being guarded by Daniel Gafford with 9:02 left in the third quarter before the altercation quickly escalated. 

Nurkic confronted Marshall before taking an open-handed swing at his head; Marshall responded with a punch, and Washington quickly shoved Nurkic to the ground before the teams were separated.

The referees reviewed the play before deciding that all three players would be ejected.

"Just protecting each other — that’s what that was," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. "Emotions can get high, so our guys protect one another. We talk about it, and it was displayed tonight."

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) punches Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) during the third quarter at Footprint Center.  (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

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"I think that level of altercation is not good for our team, it's not good for anybody individually, it's not good for our league," Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said. "I don't know all