NBA suspends Alvarado and Williams for fight during Pelicans-Suns game

NEW YORK (AP) — New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado has been suspended two games and Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams has been suspended one game for their roles in a fight during the third quarter of Saturday night's game.

The NBA announced the suspensions, that come without pay, on Sunday.

Alvarado will miss the Pelicans' home game against the New York Knicks on Monday and their game at the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Williams will miss Monday night's game at the Washington Wizards.

The 7-foot-1 Williams and 6-foot Alvarado exchanged punches following a foul call on Alvarado. Phoenix won 123-114 for a two-game sweep of a back-to-back set between the teams in New Orleans.

Alvarado was trying to fight through a ball screen set by Williams to keep pressure on Suns sharpshooter Collin Gillespie, who had made his first five 3-point attempts of the game.

Alvarado pushed Williams out of the way while playing defense and was called for a foul. Williams then shoved Alvarado in the back. Alvarado turned toward Williams and the two exchanged words before grabbing each other and throwing punches. Both players landed right hands before being separated and then ejected.

Neither player commented after the game.

Phoenix coach Jordan Ott attributed the fight to competitiveness and fatigue.

“I saw it start, and then all of a sudden everyone jumped in,” Ott said. “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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New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, left, and Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) get into a scrum during the third quarter before both were ejected during an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, center left, and Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams, center right, get into a scrum during the third quarter before both were ejected during an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, left, and Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) get into a scrum during the third quarter before both were ejected during an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) and Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams get into a scrum during the third quarter before both were ejected during an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Shaedon Sharpe scored 26 points including 5 of 8 from 3-point range and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 114-108 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

Deni Avdija added 24 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for the Blazers, Toumani Camara scored 20 points, and Donovan Clingan had 18 points and 18 rebounds. Caleb Love added 18 points off the bench.

The Celtics, whose four-game winning streak was snapped, were led by Jaylen Brown with 37 points on 14 of 23 shooting. It was Brown's ninth game in a row with 30 or more points, tying Larry Bird for the franchise record of consecutive 30-plus point games. Paul Pierce is third with seven.

Anfernee Simons scored 13 points off the bench in his first game against his former team, but the Celtics shot 43% overall and 29% (13 of 45) from 3-point range.

Rookie Hugo Gonzalez also scored 13 points for Boston.

The Celtics led 63-55 at halftime, but Portland pulled ahead by outscoring Boston 31-22 in the third quarter.

Derrick White's driving layup with 4:47 to play made it 100-all, but Love's 3-pointer with 4:30 left put Portland ahead to stay.

Trail Blazers: Face the Dallas Mavericks at home on Monday night.

Celtics: Visit the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.

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Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) and Boston Celtics guard Anfernee, right, Simons battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija drives to the ball as Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown shoots against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, center, and Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta, right, collide during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)