Kyrie Irving became the center of social media buzz after his stunned reaction to an on-court altercation during the Dallas Mavericks’ 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Suns. The scuffle, which resulted in the ejections of Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall, and P.J. Washington, unfolded midway through the third quarter, but it was Irving’s bewildered expression that captured fans’ attention.
LMFAOOOOO https://t.co/6mnvgiiBn1 pic.twitter.com/ESbqh0untr
— Omar (@KingBacca22x) December 28, 2024
The altercation began when Suns center Jusuf Nurkic was called for an offensive foul while being guarded by Daniel Gafford. Tempers flared as Nurkic aggressively palmed Marshall’s head during a heated exchange. Marshall retaliated with a punch, and chaos ensued as Washington intervened by shoving Nurkic to the ground. Officials quickly stepped in to separate the players, but not before the situation escalated into a brief melee.
Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington were all ejected after this scuffle in Mavs-Suns. pic.twitter.com/A3Gk7eBYlI
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 28, 2024
Irving, standing just feet from the action, looked visibly confused and surprised by the sudden outbreak of violence. Following the game, he addressed his reaction during a postgame interview, explaining his hesitation to step into the fray.
“I was a little confused. It happened so quickly. Moments like that, you just want everybody to be protecting themselves. I feel like that’s what PJ was doing for Naji. Naji after he got hit, he was just protecting himself.”
“If we’re out on the street, even if we’re not playing basketball, you gotta put your hands up and at least swing back. I’ll take care of this fine.”
“PJ’s fine. Their ejections. Yeah, throw that s**t under the rug, man. Excuse my language. It’s part of basketball sometimes. Haven’t seen it. Maybe that’s just the way we end 2024, where somebody actually swings in the NBA. Maybe that’ll help our ratings.”
Irving took a lighthearted approach to the incident, joking about the rarity of such fights in the modern NBA. Despite the heated moment, the Mavericks maintained their composure to secure a hard-fought win. Irving led the team with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, although he struggled with efficiency, shooting just 6-of-21 from the field. Spencer Dinwiddie and Maxi Kleber each added 15 points, while Daniel Gafford contributed 16 points and 5 rebounds.
On the Suns’ side, Kevin Durant delivered a stellar performance, scoring 35 points on 11-of-19 shooting along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. However, his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the absence of Devin Booker and the team’s shooting struggles. Bradley Beal had a rough night, managing just 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting and committing 4 turnovers.
The ejections marked a rare display of physicality in today’s NBA, which is often criticized for a lack of intensity compared to past eras. The incident sparked mixed reactions, with Mavericks coach Jason Kidd emphasizing the importance of team solidarity.
The Suns fell to 15-15 on the season, while the Mavericks improved to 20-11, solidifying their position in the Western Conference. For fans, the night will be remembered not just for the brawl but for Irving’s candid reaction and playful commentary, which turned a moment of chaos into a viral sensation.
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