The altercations in the Miami Heat’s NBA game at the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday resulted in suspensions for five players, including star Jimmy Butler.
The Heat professional, like his teammate Nikola Jovic and Naji Marhsall from the Pelicans, has to sit out a game without pay. According to US media, Butler will lose around 260,000 US dollars (around 240,000 euros) in salary because of this.
Thomas Bryant of the Heat and Jose Alvardo of the Pelicans have been suspended for three games by the NBA because they started fighting on the court after the first pack formation.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter with the Heat 106:95 in New Orleans, a largely harmless foul by Kevin Love on Pelicans professional Zion Williamson triggered the riots. Alvarado, Bryant, Butler and Marshall were all sent off with technical fouls. Some fans were also shown their seats.