Phoenix coach opens up on heated brawl in Pelicans game: “it happens”
Jose Alvarado and Mark Williams came together in the recent game between the Suns and the Pelicans.
Tensions that boiled over during the clash between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Phoenix Suns have now led the NBA to hand down suspensions to the two players most involved in the altercation.
Guard Jose Alvarado of the Pelicans has been hit with a two-game suspension, while Suns centre Mark Williams will miss one game, both without pay, following a third-quarter fight in New Orleans.
The incident unfolded with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter of Phoenix’s 123–114 victory. Alvarado was attempting to work past a screen set by Williams when contact was made and a foul was called against him.
Look at Jordan Poole’s face when Jose Alvarado punches Mark Williams 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/5Pva2MJFUH
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) December 28, 2025
“I saw it start, then everyone jumped in”
What followed quickly escalated as tempers flared between the 6-foot guard and the 7-foot-plus Suns big man, culminating in a brief exchange of punches before players and officials dived in.
Both protagonists were assessed technical fouls and were ejected from the game. The league’s head of basketball operations, James Jones, explained that Alvarado’s actions were deemed more aggressive, warranting the longer suspension, while Williams’ response resulted in a single game missed.
According to the official announcement, Alvarado will sit out his next two scheduled games against the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls, while Williams will be sidelined for Phoenix’s next matchup versus the Washington Wizards.
While neither player made any public comment after the game concluded, Suns coach Jordan Ott did provide his version of events: “I saw it start, and then all of a sudden, everyone jumped in,” he said.
Jose Alvarado vs. Mark Williams throwing punches. 😳
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 28, 2025
pic.twitter.com/t6Mkc1vSdt
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“Obviously, it happens. It just feels like the lack of sleep the second night of a back-to-back; something always tends to happen. Last night, there were a lot of free throws; tonight, there wasn’t as much. They let us play tonight, which is something we enjoy. They got tangled up, and obviously, they both got thrown out.”
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