The NBA has handed down suspensions to Miami Heat players Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, and Thomas Bryant following their involvement in an altercation during Friday night's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Butler and Jovic will each serve a one-game suspension, while Bryant will be suspended for three games. The incident occurred after a foul by Heat forward Kevin Love against Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, leading to several skirmishes and ejections.

The sanctions were a result of Butler instigating and engaging in the on-court altercation, with Jovic leaving the bench area to enter the altercation. Bryant was suspended for leaving the bench area during the altercation. The suspensions will cost Butler nearly $260,000, Bryant over $52,000, and Jovic around $12,000. This marks the second time Jovic has received such a penalty, having been previously suspended last season for a similar offense.

Butler, who was ejected from the game, will miss his 19th game of the season, rendering him ineligible for postseason awards. Bryant, who had not seen action in the past eight games, will also miss additional games on the current four-game trip. Meanwhile, Tyler Herro, who hyperextended his knee during the altercation, will undergo an MRI as a precautionary measure.

The NBA's ruling emphasized the importance of player conduct during altercations, with consequences outlined for leaving the bench area. Heat guard Terry Rozier, who has been out with a knee injury, showed signs of progress in practice and may soon be available for upcoming games. The Heat will face the Sacramento Kings without the suspended players before continuing their trip against the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets later in the week.