Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving had some jokes after Dallas' controversial 98-89 victory against the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
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A few minutes into the second half, Mavericks player Naji Marshall got into it with Suns center Jusuf Nurkic about a foul he'd just committed. The altercation developed past words once Nurkic took an open-handed swing at his head, prompting Marshall to respond with a punch. After Dallas forward PJ Washington forcibly shoved the Suns big man, all three men were ejected from play.
Kyrie Jokes That More Skirmishes Could Be Good for League
After the game veteran superstar Kyrie Irving emphasized the importance of togetherness for his squad, adding that he would "take care of this fine" for his teammates.
"Moments like that, you just want everybody to be protecting themselves," Irving told Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. 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."
The former NBA champion went on to suggest that Friday's scuffle might be the answer to a persistent problem in the league.
"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."
Celtics Coach Shares Kyrie's Sentiment
The issue of ratings has been one of frequent discussion around the NBA recently and everyone has a suggestion on what can be done to change the current trajectory. Ironically, Irving isn't the first person to suggest more fights as a solution. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla offered it once during an interview in October.
"The biggest thing we've robbed people of from an entertainment standpoint is you can't fight anymore," Mazzulla said. "What's more entertaining than a little scuffle? How come in baseball they're allowed to clear the benches. How come in hockey they're allowed to—I don't understand. I just don't get why some sports are allowed to clear the benches, they have bats and weapons, we don't. We have a ball."
