The NBA announced disciplinary sanctions against New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado and Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams following a physical altercation between the two during Saturday’s 123-114 Phoenix victory.
According to the league’s official statement, Alvarado was suspended for two games, while Williams received a one-game suspension. Both sanctions include a proportional loss of salary, in accordance with the rules established in the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement.
How the fight between José Alvarado and Mark Williams started
JOSE ALVARADO VS MARK WILLIAMS
FEATHER WEIGHT VS HEAVY WEIGHT BOUT pic.twitter.com/2H80S9mB42
– Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) December 28, 2025
According to the league, the incident occurred during the third quarter of the game.
The sequence began when Jose Alvarado committed a defensive foul on Mark Williams.
After the play, Williams pushed Alvarado in the back, which immediately raised the tension on the court.
The NBA explained that after that push, Jose Alvarado reacted aggressively, which led to an exchange of blows between the two players in front of the referees, teammates and the public.
During the struggle, one of the punches thrown by Jose Alvarado landed directly in the face of Mark Williams, who has a clear physical advantage over the Puerto Rican, with a notable difference in height.
The referee staff and other players quickly intervened to separate those involved and prevent the situation from escalating further.
Suspension details
Don’t focus on the fight itself….instead look in the background at Jordan Poole’s face when Jose Alvarado punches Mark Williams…
– TDMcClellan (@TorranceMcClell) December 28, 2025
The NBA confirmed that Jose Alvarado will serve his two-game suspension in the Pelicans’ upcoming games against the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls.
Meanwhile, Mark Williams will miss the Suns’ game against the Washington Wizards.
In addition to the sports suspension, both players will not receive their salaries for the games they do not play, as part of the economic punishment established by the league.
Impact for Pelicans and Suns
Jose Alvarado punched Mark Williams in the face im crying bro pic.twitter.com/F3KEVtixNq
– Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz). December 28, 2025
For the Pelicans, the absence of José Alvarado represents a significant loss in the rotation, especially because of his defensive energy and constant pressure on the opposition.
The Puerto Rican has earned recognition in the NBA for his intensity, but this suspension is a wake-up call about the limits of physical play.
In the Suns’ case, Williams’ suspension will be brief, though it comes at a stretch of the season where every game counts for playoff positioning and standings.
Message from the NBA
With this decision, the NBA reaffirms its zero-tolerance policy for on-court violence, stressing that physical reactions that exceed competitive play will have clear disciplinary consequences.
The incident between Jose Alvarado and Mark Williams adds to a list of altercations that the league has sanctioned in recent years, with the aim of preserving player safety and the integrity of the show.
For the Hispanic community in the United States, Alvarado’s case generates special attention, as he is one of the few Puerto Rican players active in the NBA, whose intensity is celebrated, but who on this occasion crossed the line established by the league.
