PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic and Dallas forwards Naji Marshall and P.J Washington were ejected following a brief fight between the players during the Mavericks' 98-89 victory over the Suns on Friday night.
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 and then Marshall responded with a punch. Washington quickly shoved Nurkic to the ground before the teams were separated.
“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.”
Mavs guard Kyrie Irving agreed with his coach.
“Maybe that's just the way we end 2024, where somebody actually swings in the NBA," Irving said, joking with reporters. “Maybe that will help our ratings.”
The referees reviewed the play before deciding that all three players would be ejected.
“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 the details of what got it to that point."
The Mavs were already short-handed after losing star Luka Doncic to a calf injury on Christmas Day. Doncic is expected to miss about a month.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, left, and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic have to be separated after fighting during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Phoenix. Dallas won 98-89. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
LONDON (AP) — Travelers flying to or from the U.K. faced further disruptions Saturday as thick fog and low visibility restricted air traffic on one of the year's busiest weekends.
Gatwick Airport in London warned that some flights may be delayed throughout Saturday and apologized for the inconvenience. Flights were delayed by up to three hours late Friday because of poor weather conditions, and at least 40 flights from the airport, mostly short-haul to Europe, were delayed Saturday morning.
Heathrow Airport, one of Europe's busiest, advised passengers to check with their airlines regarding potential delays. Disruptions were also reported at other U.K. airports including Stansted Airport in London and Manchester Airport.
The U.K.'s weather forecasters, the Met Office, said thick fog patches could reduce visibility to just 100 meters (328 feet) in some areas across the country. It said travelers should allow “a little bit longer” for journeys and warned drivers to be extra careful.
Kiera Quayle and her husband, who were visiting family for Christmas on the Isle of Man, were among many affected. Their return flight to London was delayed by hours and then canceled late Friday.
“It’s frustrating and stressful but I overheard a few families who are now missing holidays and work who have it worse at this point," she said.
Conditions are expected to improve Sunday, the Met Office said.
The country's main air traffic control organization said the restrictions would remain in place in areas with low visibility.
“Restrictions of this sort are only ever applied to maintain safety," it said. “Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimize disruption.”
The restrictions came at a busy time of year when many people travel following the Christmas holiday and ahead of the New Year.
A British Airways Airbus A380-800 takes off from runway 27R at Heathrow Airport, London, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (James Manning/PA via AP)
A plane lands in the mist at Cardiff Airport, in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)
