LUY-Development

Category: Sports

  • Zion Williamson scores 28, closes out Pelicans’ 107-100 win over the Bucks

    Zion Williamson scores 28, closes out Pelicans’ 107-100 win over the Bucks

    NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson took a more assertive approach to the final minutes of a close game and it paid off for the New Orleans Pelicans.

    Williamson capped a 28-point performance by hitting five of six free throws in the final three minutes and New Orleans held off the Milwaukee Bucks 107-100 on Thursday night.

    “If we’re going to lose certain games, we at least want to do it the right way, knowing that we got the shots we wanted,” said Williamson, who did not attempt a shot in the final three minutes of New Orleans’ 119-112 loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

    “That was the emphasis tonight and we were able to get the win,” Williamson said.

    The Pelicans led for most of the game and by as many as 18 in the first half. But when Damian Lillard hit a 3-pointer with just more than five minutes left, New Orleans’ lead was down to five — much like on Tuesday night, when the Pelicans lost a five-point lead in the last three minutes to the Thunder.

    This time, Williamson continued to attack the basket and his accurate foul shooting in the clutch helped the Pelicans close it out.

    CJ McCollum scored 25 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, giving him his 32nd double-double of the season, but just his first in 11 games. Trey Murphy III had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Pelicans, who won despite going just 8 of 32 on 3-pointers and shooting just 39.6% (36 of 91) overall.

    “Effort — that was really it,” Murphy said of his uptick in rebounding. “My dad was in the crowd and had a mad look on his face, so I tried to make him a little more happy by rebounding the ball.”

    Giannis Antetokounmpo had 35 points and 14 rebounds for Milwaukee, and Williamson, who had to guard him at times, marveled at the “Greek Freak’s” relentlessness in the paint.

    “Man, I thought I attacked the basket,” Williamson said, smiling and shaking his head in admiration of Antetokounmpo, who scored 20 straight Bucks points to close the third quarter. “He has a high motor. I’ve got to give him his respect on that, and he’s always on the attack.”

    Lillard scored 20 points for the Bucks, as did Malik Beasley, who hit six 3s.

    Milwaukee lost its second straight after falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in overtime in its previous game.

    New Orleans outscored Milwaukee 52-44 in the paint and the Pelicans went 27 of 34 from on free throws. Milwaukee attempted 19 free throws, hitting 10.

    “I just thought they played more physical. They were the more aggressive team,” Lillard said. “Usually the more aggressive team gets rewarded by the whistle. The game favors that team more. I think they had that going, the crowd got into it. They were able to get their hands on the ball, they chased offensive rebounds, they got extra opportunities. They just played a better game than us.”

    New Orleans led 52-34 when McCollum converted a three-point play on a 7-foot runner as he was fouled, capping a 14-2 run.

    Valanciunas and Herb Jones each hit 3s during the spurt, which began with McCollum’s floater off the glass as he was fouled by Lillard.

    Antetokounmpo scored 12 of his points in the opening half, including an alley-oop layup that made it made it 59-45 before Larry Nance Jr.’s floater at the horn gave New Orleans a 61-45 halftime lead.

    UP NEXT

    Suns: Visit Atlanta on Saturday night.

    Pelicans: Host Boston on Saturday night.

  • ESPN will remain the home of the College Football Playoff through 2031 under $7.8 billion deal

    ESPN will remain the home of the College Football Playoff through 2031 under $7.8 billion deal

    The College Football Playoff and ESPN announced a $7.8 billion deal Tuesday that will give the network exclusive rights to the expanded postseason through the 2031 season, with the national championship game moving to ABC starting in 2026.

    Financial terms were not announced, but as previously reported the new six-year agreement will pay the CFP and participating conferences $1.3 billion annually.

    An agreement in principle between the CFP and ESPN was reached weeks ago, but first the college conferences that participate in the playoff had to sign a deal to continue their partnership for another six years. That agreement and a new revenue-sharing plan was finalized last week.

    The new agreements with ESPN, modify terms of the remaining two years of the current contract to take into account expansion from four to 12 teams, starting with the upcoming season.

    “It’s a significant day for the CFP and for the future of college football,” CFP executive director Bill Hancock said. “The depth of coverage that ESPN gives to the sport throughout the season is second to none.”

    The conferences agreed to at least a 12-team playoff starting in 2026, but more expansion could be on the way. Hancock said last week that format discussions among the management committee, comprised of Bowl Subdivision conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director, have been tabled for now.

    ESPN has been the home of the CFP’s primary broadcast for the championship game through the first 10 years of the playoff, and will remain so for the final two years of the original 12-year deal. In 2026, the title game moves to ESPN’s parent network, ABC.

    Nick Dawson, ESPN’s senior vice president for programming, said moving the title game to the over-the-air network was a collaborative decision between the CFP and ESPN.

    “I think it was something we had expected was coming in a new deal. That having a broadcast network presence would be an important piece as the size and scale of the playoff grew,” Dawson said.

    ESPN recently agreed to a new $920 million, eight-year deal with the NCAA for the rights to the women’s Division I basketball tournament and 39 other championship events.

    The current CFP contracts, including with ESPN, expire after the 2025 football season. The previous deal with ESPN, which included the rights to only three playoff games per season (two semifinals and a championship game) and four marquee bowl games, paid out $470 million annually.

    During the long and at times contentious expansion negotiations between the conference commissioners, there was generally consensus among the group that the expanded CFP would ideally have multiple media partners after the original 12-year deal with ESPN expired.

    Instead, the CFP found a market with few aggressive buyers and ESPN highly motivated to own it all.

    The deal does allow for ESPN to sublicense a select number of games to other networks.

    Media consultant and former Fox Sports executive Patrick Crakes said he was not surprised ESPN ended up as the lone rights holder, especially with major digital media companies such as Apple and Amazon still cautious about entering the market.

    “The reason why the expectations aren’t getting met is because the economics and ability to monetize these large, tier one properties, it’s just becoming impossible to do it, unless you’re already heavily invested in it,” he said.

    Crakes said he always believed the CFP rights were ESPN’s to lose.

    “In the case of Fox, Fox would like to have this? I suppose, but at the end of the day they’ve got plenty going on in December and January,” he said.

     

  • Saints, defensive end Chase Young agree on 1-year contract for former No. 2 overall pick

    Saints, defensive end Chase Young agree on 1-year contract for former No. 2 overall pick

    NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms of a one-year contract with free agent defensive end Chase Young, a move that provides reinforcements to an edge pass rush that periodically struggled to pressure quarterbacks last season.

    “I definitely plan to add a good piece,” Young said in a video conference with New Orleans reporters Monday night. “I’m going to let my play do the talking.”

    Saints defensive ends combined for 14 sacks last season, led by Carl Granderson’s 8 1/2, and the club ranked 29th in the NFL in sacks per pass attempt.

    Young, who turns 25 in April, was drafted second overall out of Ohio State by the Washington Commanders in 2020, when he was named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. But he was sidelined by major knee injuries in his second pro season that also kept him out for much of 2022.

    “Injuries definitely hindered a few things,” Young said. “It’s all about the process, all about the journey. I know what I can do.”

    Last season, Young saw his most action since his rookie campaign, playing in 16 games with the Commanders and San Francisco 49ers, who acquired him in a midseason trade. He had 7 1/2 sacks during the regular season and had another in the Niners’ Super Bowl loss to Kansas City.

    “I feel like in every area of my game, I can grow. I’m still a young player,” Young said. “I’m going to do my best to make sure (the Saints) know they didn’t pick the wrong one.”

    The 6-foot-5, 264-pound Young, whose new contract reportedly pays up to $13 million, now joins a position group that also includes Saints all-time sack leader Cameron Jordan.

    Young said becoming Jordan’s teammate is “definitely something big for me that I’m excited to do,” calling Jordan “a guy who I can spend time with who I can absorb the game from.”

    Jordan, who has 117 1/2 career sacks, had just two sacks last season, the fewest since his rookie season in 2011. However, Jordan also played through injuries and received high praise from coaches and the front office for his availability and effectiveness against the run.

    A number of teams expressed interest in Young, who said he was attracted to New Orleans by the “family atmosphere” he experienced during a visit to team headquarters and what he referred to as the team’s “winning culture.”

    The Saints have not made the playoffs in the three seasons since franchise all-time passing leader Drew Brees retired, going 9-8 in 2021, 7-10 in 2022 and 9-8 in 2023. But New Orleans was a playoff team nine times between 2006 and 2020, winning one Super Bowl in the 2009 season.

    For the past two seasons, the Saints have been coached by Dennis Allen, a former defensive coordinator under Sean Payton, who briefly retired in 2022 as the most successful coach in franchise history before returning to coaching with Denver in 2023.

    In New Orleans, Young also will join two former Ohio State teammates: linebacker Pete Werner and receiver Chris Olave. Saints veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore also starred at Ohio State, but turned pro when Young was an incoming freshman with the Buckeyes in 2017.

    “This place, I had a feeling; My mom always said trust my gut,” Young said. “I felt like this was the best choice for me.”

     

  • South Carolina, Iowa, USC and Texas are the top seeds in the women’s NCAA Tournament

    South Carolina, Iowa, USC and Texas are the top seeds in the women’s NCAA Tournament

    Dawn Staley and South Carolina could see some familiar faces on their path to trying to finish off an undefeated season.

    The Gamecocks, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament, are looking to become the 10th women’s basketball team to go unbeaten for an entire season.

    They had a chance last season before falling just short against Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Final Four. The Hawkeyes received the other No. 1 seed in the Albany Regional. The two teams wouldn’t potentially face off until the national championship game this time. Iowa is a one-seed for the first time since 1992.

    USC and star freshman JuJu Watkins earned the Trojans’ first No. 1 seed since 1986 as the top choice in a Portland Regional. Texas earned the fourth No. 1 seed, its first since 2004, and will play Drexel in the other Portland Regional opener. There was debate whether Texas or Stanford would get the fourth No. 1 seed.

    “To say we talked about it more than once was an understatement,” said NCAA selection committee Chair Lisa Peterson. “What it came down to was Texas had to play three tournament teams to get to the (Big 12) championship.”

    South Carolina coach Dawn Staley’s squad has been challenged a few times this year, including needing a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Kamilla Cardoso to win the semifinals of the SEC Tournament over Tennessee, but has always pulled through. The Gamecocks, who are a No. 1 seed for the fourth consecutive year, will play the winner of Sacred Heart and Presbyterian in the first round of the tournament.

    “I always feel good to be the No. 1 overall seed and to be undefeated,” Staley said. “I’m excited because we get a chance to know what our path is to win the national championship and, all great teams, a lot of familiar faces that are in our region. But we have to take it one game at a time and that’s what we’ll do on Friday.”

    Cardoso will miss the opening game after getting ejected for fighting in the SEC title game. The Gamecocks would have her back for a potential second-round matchup against either North Carolina or Michigan State. South Carolina beat the Tar Heels earlier in the season.

    “Fortunately for us, it’s someone we played without for four games this season,” Staley said. “We know we’re a better basketball team when Kamilla Cardoso is in the lineup.”

    Joining the Gamecocks in the Albany Region are No. 2 seed Notre Dame, third-seeded Oregon State and fourth-seeded Indiana. South Carolina opened up its season against the Irish, routing them in Paris.

    Clark, who became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer this year, is trying to win her first title. The Hawkeyes open up against the winner of Holy Cross and UT Martin. Joining the Hawkeyes in their region are No. 2 UCLA, defending champion and third-seeded LSU and fourth-seeded Kansas State. The Tigers beat the Hawkeyes for the national championship last year.

    The other top teams in USC’s bracket are Ohio State, UConn and Virginia Tech. The Huskies were the last team to go undefeated in a season, running through the 2015-16 season.

    Texas could have to contend with No. 2 Stanford, No. 3 North Carolina State and fourth-seeded Gonzaga.

    The NCAA changed its format last season and is having two regional sites for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds. Albany, New York, hosts one and Portland, Oregon, the other. Once again the top four teams in each region will host the opening two rounds.

    The tournament begins Wednesday with two First Four games. The full madness starts with 16 games Friday and 16 more the next day. The Final Four will be played in Cleveland this year for the first time since 2007. The national semifinals are on April 5, with the championship game two days later.

    Tennessee continued its streak of appearing in all 42 NCAA Tournaments. On the other end, Presbyterian, California Baptist, Columbia and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi are all making their first appearance.

    The Lions were one of the last four teams in the field. Just outside the field of 68 were Penn State, Washington State, Miami and Villanova.

    “There were seven or eight schools we talked about,” Peterson said of the final few spots. “That conversation lasted over two days.”

    The Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference both have eight teams in the field. The Big Ten, Pac-12 and Big 12 each have seven. The Big East has three teams. The West Coast Conference and Ivy League each have two. It’s the second time that the Ivy League has gotten an at-large bid.

     

  • LSU plays North Texas in NIT matchup

    North Texas Mean Green (18-14, 11-9 AAC) at LSU Tigers (17-15, 9-10 SEC)

    Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDT

    BOTTOM LINE: LSU and North Texas square off in the National Invitation Tournament.

    The Tigers’ record in SEC play is 9-10, and their record is 8-5 in non-conference games. LSU scores 76.3 points and has outscored opponents by 1.6 points per game.

    The Mean Green are 11-9 against AAC opponents. North Texas is the leader in the AAC allowing only 63.1 points per game while holding opponents to 41.1% shooting.

    LSU averages 76.3 points, 13.2 more per game than the 63.1 North Texas gives up. North Texas has shot at a 43.4% rate from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points above the 42.6% shooting opponents of LSU have averaged.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Jordan Wright is scoring 14.8 points per game with 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Tigers. Tyrell Ward is averaging 12.6 points and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 51.6% over the last 10 games.

    Jason Edwards is averaging 19.2 points for the Mean Green. Robert Allen is averaging 10.4 points over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Tigers: 5-5, averaging 74.7 points, 34.5 rebounds, 10.4 assists, 6.2 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 78.6 points per game.

    Mean Green: 5-5, averaging 73.1 points, 31.9 rebounds, 12.1 assists, 6.9 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 70.0 points.

  • Kirk Cousins chooses Atlanta, Saquon Barkley goes to Philly on a busy first day of NFL free agency

    Kirk Cousins chooses Atlanta, Saquon Barkley goes to Philly on a busy first day of NFL free agency

    Kirk Cousins is heading to the Falcons. Saquon Barkley is joining the Eagles. Brian Burns is going to the Giants.

    The first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period was a free-for-all frenzy with teams making one big move after another, highlighted by Cousins’ decision to leave Minnesota for Atlanta.

    The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and the Falcons agreed on a $180 million, four-year deal with $100 million guaranteed and a $50 million signing bonus, according to a person with knowledge of the terms who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday.

    Barkley bolted New York for NFC East rival Philadelphia, agreeing on a three-year, $37.75 million deal with $26 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the contract told the AP.

    Hours after losing Barkley, the Giants made a splash on the defensive side. They’re sending a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder to Carolina for Burns, who is getting a five-year contract worth up to $150 million with $87.5 million in guarantees, according to a person with knowledge of the terms.

    Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowl running back, joins an all-star offensive cast in Philly and replaces D’Andre Swift, who is heading to the Chicago Bears.

    It was a busy day for running backs, who have been undervalued by NFL teams in recent years.

    Josh Jacobs, a 2022 All-Pro, is leaving Las Vegas for Green Bay. Tony Pollard is going from Dallas to Tennessee, Austin Ekeler from the Los Angeles Chargers to Washington, Devin Singletary from Houston to the Giants, Gus Edwards from Baltimore to the Chargers, Antonio Gibson from the Commanders to New England and Zack Moss from Indianapolis to Cincinnati.

    Like the Giants, the Raiders made a major splash on defense after losing their starting running back. Las Vegas and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins agreed to a four-year, $110 contract with $84.75 million guaranteed, agent David Mulugheta said.

    The Raiders also are bringing in quarterback Gardner Minshew, who went 7-6 filling in for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis last season.

    Detroit is getting edge rusher Marcus Davenport and acquiring cornerback Carlton Davis from Tampa Bay in a trade. The Lions also are re-signing guard Graham Glasgow.

    The Vikings are adding edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and inside linebacker Blake Cashman.

    In addition to Pollard, the Titans are getting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and center Lloyd Cushenberry.

    The Packers bolstered their defense by agreeing on a deal with safety Xavier McKinney. Green Bay released Aaron Jones to make way for Jacobs.

    Jacksonville, which is acquiring quarterback Mac Jones to back up Trevor Lawrence, is adding wide receiver Gabe Davis, safety Darnell Savage, kick returner Devin Duvernay and cornerback Ronald Darby.

    The Commanders, who have the most salary cap space in the league, raided division rival Dallas for defensive end Dorance Armstrong and center Tyler Biadasz. Washington also is bringing in linebacker Frankie Luvu and kicker Brandon McManus.

    The Texans are snatching punter Tommy Townsend, a 2022 All-Pro, away from two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City.

    Several teams kept some of their top players.

    The Browns have agreed to re-sign defensive end Za’Darius Smith and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst. The Eagles extended Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson’s contract and are signing edge rusher Bryce Huff away from the Jets.

    The Seahawks are bringing back tight end Noah Fant and defense tackle Leonard Williams. The Jets are re-signing kicker Greg Zuerlein and announced they signed cornerback Isaiah Oliver, who was released by San Francisco last month.

    The Patriots are re-signing receiver Kendrick Bourne while bringing quarterback Jacoby Brissett back to the team that drafted him to play behind Tom Brady several years ago. The Bengals are adding safety Geno Stone and they announced they’re re-signing tight end Drew Sample and running back Trayveon Williams.

    The Bills are bringing back left tackle Dion Dawkins, edge rusher A.J. Epenesa and defensive back Cam Lewis.

    The Colts are giving wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. a new deal and re-signing defensive tackle Grover Stewart and linebacker Zaire Franklin.

  • Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu reworks his contract to add a year through 2025

    Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu reworks his contract to add a year through 2025

    NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu agreed to a new two-year contract on Thursday that runs through the 2025 season.

    The 31-year-old Mathieu, a 11-year veteran out of LSU and a New Orleans native, previously was under contract through 2024. His reworked deal, reportedly worth about $13 million, gives him one additional year in a trade-off that lowers his annual salary, thereby providing the Saints with a measure of salary cap relief.

    “I like the situation I’m in. I’ve come along in the system. For me, that’s exciting,” Mathieu said. “Where I’m at in my life today, I love being in New Orlans, love being around family, loving being in the community.

    “Just having that extra year to do all the things I really want to do while I’m at home, that meant a lot to me,” Mathieu added.

    Mathieu has started 34 games for the Saints during the past two seasons and has seven interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

    Mathieu, a 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist at LSU as a sophomore, was a third-round draft choice by Arizona in 2013 after sitting out the 2012 season because of repeated violations of team rules.

    Mathieu also played for Houston and Kansas City, winning a Super Bowl with the Chiefs in the 2019 season.

  • Fox will air package of college football games on Friday night beginning this fall

    Fox will air package of college football games on Friday night beginning this fall

    Fox will expand its coverage of college football with a package of Friday night games.

    The schedule of games, which will include matchups from the Big Ten, Big 12 and Mountain West conferences, is likely won’t be announced until late May or early June after conferences and the networks hold their selection meetings.

    Friday games, which used to be confined to only the opening week of the season and day after Thanksgiving, are not out of the norm for all three conferences. The Big Ten has had a limited package since 2017, but those were on the Big Ten Network and FS1. The Big 12 had three Friday night matchups on ESPN last season and the Mountain West had a package of games on the CBS Sports Network along with two on FS1.

    The college football package will fill a void for Fox on Friday nights during the fall when WWE’s “Friday Night SmackDown” moves to USA Network in October. A couple of games could air on Fox in September with “SmackDown” moving to FS1, which is what happened during the baseball playoffs and World Series.

    It also will not be the first time Fox has tried to stake claim to what is considered an underutilized timeslot. It launched “Big Noon Saturday” in 2019, which has been successful. Last season’s package averaged 6.74 million viewers on Fox, an 8% increase over 2022.

  • Report: Saints to release veteran WR Michael Thomas

    Report: Saints to release veteran WR Michael Thomas

    The New Orleans Saints are set to part ways with veteran wide receiver Michael Thomas, marking the end of a significant chapter in the team’s history. According to Fox 8 Saints analyst Jeff Duncan, the decision to release Thomas is imminent, with the move expected to take place before the start of the league year on March 13. Duncan emphasized that it’s not a question of “if” but “when,” signaling a definitive end to Thomas’s tenure with the Saints.

    Drafted in the second round in 2016, Thomas quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Saints’ offense, becoming the primary target for legendary quarterback Drew Brees. His rookie year was nothing short of spectacular, with Thomas racking up 92 receptions for 1,137 yards and nine touchdowns. This impressive start was a sign of things to come, as Thomas continued to excel on the field.

    Thomas’s impact was undeniable, culminating in a record-breaking 2019 season that earned him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. He set a new NFL record with 149 receptions, leading the league with a franchise-record 1,725 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. This performance not only solidified his status as one of the league’s elite receivers but also hinted at a potential Hall of Fame career.

    However, Thomas’s journey with the Saints was not without its challenges. After signing a lucrative five-year, $96 million contract, his career trajectory took a downturn due to a series of injuries that sidelined him for numerous games across multiple seasons. These physical setbacks significantly impacted his ability to contribute on the field and altered the course of his once-promising career.

    Off the field, Thomas’s tenure with the Saints was also marked by controversies that reportedly strained his relationship with the organization, including a booking by Kenner police for criminal mischief, and public criticism of starting quarterback Derek Carr, highlighted a tumultuous relationship that may have contributed to the Saints’ decision to move on.

    As the Saints prepare to release Michael Thomas, it’s clear that his legacy with the team is a complex tapestry of incredible highs and notable lows. His early career performance will always be remembered for its brilliance and impact, even as his later years were marred by injuries and off-field issues.

  • Jimmy Butler, Naji Marshall are among 5 players suspended after Heat-Pelicans incident

    Jimmy Butler, Naji Marshall are among 5 players suspended after Heat-Pelicans incident

    NEW YORK (AP) — Miami’s Jimmy Butler and New Orleans’ Naji Marshall have been suspended for one game apiece for instigating an on-court altercation, the NBA announced Sunday.

    The incident happened during the Heat-Pelicans game Friday night.

    Miami’s Thomas Bryant and New Orleans’ Jose Alvarado were both handed three-game suspensions for fighting and leaving the bench area. Miami’s Nikola Jovic also got a one-game suspension for leaving the bench area and entering the altercation, the league said.

    “It felt like Jimmy shouldn’t have gotten a game on that,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Sunday at practice in Sacramento, where Miami will play on Monday. “It was really just kind of tangling and a little bit of pushing. I don’t think that deserves another game because he ended up having to miss the fourth quarter (Friday). But it is what it is. Nobody wants to see it escalate to that point.”

    Butler — who did not think he should have been ejected — will lose nearly $260,000 in base salary because of his suspension. The rest of the suspensions will cost the four other players about $115,000, combined.

    “I put my hand around his neck. He put his hand around my neck,” Butler said after the game of his incident with Marshall. “And it just took off the way it did.”

    It started when Miami’s Kevin Love fouled New Orleans’ Zion Williamson under the Pelicans’ basket. Butler and Marshall “engaged in a physical altercation” after the foul, the league said, and Alvarado and Bryant then fought.

    Alvarado, Bryant, Butler and Marshall were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game, which the Heat won 106-95.

    Alvarado will miss games Sunday against Chicago, Tuesday at New York and Wednesday at Indiana. Marshall will miss Sunday’s game against the Bulls.

    Butler and Jovic will not play when Miami visits Sacramento on Monday and Bryant will miss that game, along with ones Tuesday at Portland and Thursday at Denver. Bryant played for the Nuggets last season when they beat the Heat in the NBA Finals.

    The Heat could be further short-handed on Monday. Guard Tyler Herro, who left late in Friday’s game after thinking he had injured his knee, was having an MRI exam on Sunday as a precaution. Herro said he expects to play either Monday or Tuesday if the MRI comes back clear.

    Miami could get guard Terry Rozier back either Monday or Tuesday as well. Rozier has been out with a sprained knee but is on the cusp of returning.