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Dolton, Illinois, Mayor Tiffany Henyard faces scrutiny after a town hall meeting turned into a brawl when an activist insulted Henyard. NBC News’ Adrienne Broaddus has the details, as Henyard is also accused of misusing public funds. Jan. 30, 2025
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Video captures moment small plane crashes in Philadelphia
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In a shocking turn of events, an Illinois mayor was caught on camera involved in a board meeting brawl. The incident occurred during a heated discussion over local policies, leading to a physical altercation between the mayor and other board members.
The footage shows punches being thrown and chaos ensuing as the mayor and other officials clashed in the meeting room. The incident has sparked outrage among the community, with many calling for the mayor to step down from his position.
This violent altercation has brought negative attention to the town and has left many questioning the leadership and professionalism of their local officials. It remains to be seen what repercussions will come from this incident, but one thing is certain – tensions are high in this Illinois town.
Tags:
Illinois mayor, board meeting, brawl, political controversy, local government, city council, public altercation, government officials, Illinois news, city politics, community scandal
A large brawl which appeared to involve at least a dozen fans broke out at a men’s college basketball game between Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Saint Louis on Tuesday, causing the game to be halted for a number of minutes.
With Saint Louis leading 69-63 and 1:10 remaining, a fight at Chaifetz Arena in Missouri spilled out over rows of seats and down onto the floor near the VCU bench. It is not clear what caused the fight to break out.
Security and police quickly rushed in to try and break it up, while players on the court remained in their huddles. CBS Sports coverage also picked up other fans apparently booing those involved in the fight.
CNN has reached out to Saint Louis University and VCU for comment.
Footage captured by CNN affiliate KSDK News appeared to show an older man emerging from the melee with blood on his face and neck.
The game eventually resumed after a delay of about seven minutes, according to The Associated Press, and the Billikens completed their 78-69 win over the Rams.
Saint Louis’ Gibson Jimerson racked up a game-high 26 points, complemented by Kobe Johnson scoring 19 with six rebounds, and Robbie Avila adding 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Phillip Russell and Zeb Jackson each scored 15 for VCU.
In his post-match press conference, Billikens head coach Josh Schertz chose to focus on the positive energy brought by fans.
“Our guys were feeding off the energy of the home crowd. They were into it. They lifted us at times, when we were tired. Students were awesome,” he said. “We don’t get through this game without them.”
The win – Saint Louis’ fifth in a row at home – halts VCU’s six-game winning streak and draws the Billikens level with the Rams in second place in the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10), behind George Mason.
Having already played each other once this season before Tuesday – a 78-62 win for VCU on January 14 – the teams can only meet again this season if they do so in the A-10 conference tournament in March.
In a shocking turn of events, a large brawl erupted between fans during the VCU vs Saint Louis college basketball game, causing a significant delay in the game.
The altercation started in the stands and quickly escalated, with punches being thrown and chaos ensuing. Security and officials were forced to intervene to break up the fight and restore order.
The incident left many fans shaken and bewildered, as college basketball games are typically known for their spirited but friendly atmosphere. It is unclear what sparked the brawl or if any arrests were made.
As a result of the altercation, the game was delayed for several minutes as the situation was brought under control. Both teams were eventually able to resume play, but the incident left a dark cloud over what was supposed to be a competitive and exciting matchup.
This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and respect among fans, as incidents like these have no place in the world of college athletics. Let’s hope that steps are taken to prevent such behavior in the future and that fans can enjoy the game in a safe and respectful manner.
Avengers: Secret Wars is expected to close out Marvel Studios’ Multiverse Saga. This means that the epic crossover event will feature fan-favorite characters from across the last three phases, including all three cinematic versions of Spider-Man.
At the time of writing, the only confirmed cast members for Secret Wars are the Fantastic Four actors (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. However, several other superheroes have been rumored to appear, such as Ryan Reynold’s Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Others who are reportedly in the mix are the three live-action Spider-Mans, played by Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland, which prompted artist artoftimetravel to create a piece of fan art that sees them battling one another for the survival of their respective universe. Check out the stunning Secret Wars fan art below.
To mark tickets going on sale, Marvel Studios debuts a new Red Hulk-filled trailer for Captain America: Brave New World.
Shared on Instagram, the Secret Wars fan art sees Maguire, Garfield, and Holland’s Spider-Mans fighting one another in space. “It is rumored that the three Spider-men will fight each other in Avengers: Secret Wars for the survival of their respective universe. Who do you think would win this fight?” the artist captioned the post.
Avengers: Secret Wars was announced at 2022’s San Diego Comic-Con and is expected to serve as a direct sequel to Avengers: Doomsday (originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty). While story details remain under wraps, Marvel Studios has begun to lay the groundwork for Secret Wars in some of its movies. The 2022 film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness seemingly set up the Secret Wars storyline with its end-credits scene mentioning an impending “incursion,” a term pulled from the 2015 Secret Wars comic book storyline that is used to describe two worlds that are about to collide. 2023’s The Marvels also dealt with multiple realities, with the movie ending with Monica Rambeau trapped in a parallel universe that is home to the X-Men.
The Russo Brothers Are Returning to Direct Secret Wars
Destin Daniel Cretton, who helmed Shang-Chi, was originally set to direct the fifth Avengers movie back when it was still known as The Kang Dynasty. While no director was ever officially attached to Secret Wars, Michael Waldron had been hired to script both Avengers sequels following his work on Loki and Multiverse of Madness. However, at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Joe and Anthony Russo were confirmed to be returning to Marvel to helm the retitled Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, with Stephen McFeely joining them as writer for both movies.
Daredevil actor Charlie Cox reveals that he has no interest in giving up the role of the Man Without Fear.
The Russo Brothers previously directed the well-received MCU movies Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). As for McFeely, he co-wrote the first three Captain America movies, Thor: The Dark World (2013), Infinity War, and Endgame with his writing partner Christopher Markus. They also co-created Agent Carter. Production on Doomsday will last from March to August 2025, with Secret Wars expected to begin filming shortly thereafter.
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.
Are you a fan of the Spider-Man franchise? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland all donning their Spider-Man suits and going head-to-head in an epic battle? Well, thanks to some amazing fan art inspired by Marvel’s Secret Wars storyline, you can now get a glimpse of what that showdown might look like.
In this incredible piece of fan art, the three actors are depicted in full Spider-Man gear, ready to take on each other in an intense brawl. Each Spider-Man has their own unique style and personality, with Maguire’s Spider-Man looking determined and focused, Garfield’s Spider-Man appearing more agile and acrobatic, and Holland’s Spider-Man exuding youthful energy and enthusiasm.
The attention to detail in this artwork is truly impressive, from the intricate web designs on their suits to the intense expressions on their faces. It’s a thrilling sight to behold and a dream come true for fans of the Spider-Man franchise.
While we may never see this epic battle play out on the big screen, this fan art allows us to imagine what could have been. Who do you think would come out on top in a battle between Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland’s versions of Spider-Man? Let us know in the comments below!
UFC star Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett squashed his social media beef with a rival in the most emphatic way possible.
A feud between Pimblett and Dennis Frimpong, who holds a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) record of 3-2, was ignited when the latter took a swipe at the Liverpudlian.
3
Pimblett decided he’d settle internet beef on the mats rather than with a keyboardCredit: Getty
When a fan stated they hoped to see Pimblett on the upcoming UFC London card in March – which has since been revealed and he is not a part of – Frimpong replied: “He won’t be fit for the Vegas event let alone the London one.”
Pimblett seemingly caught wind of Frimpong’s comment and didn’t take kindly, as the two went back-and-forth in their personal messages.
They ultimately decided to settle their dispute in the only way they knew.
Pimblett ventured over to Manchester Top Team, where Frimpong trains out of, to squash their beef.
Neither man donned headgear which emphasised the seriousness of their scrap as they threw punches and kicks with serious intent, although they did have shin guards on.
There was plenty of interest in the feud too as fellow fighters, including Molly McCann, sat in a circle to watch the action unfold.
The two exchanged multiple strikes and kicks, but when Frimpong misses with a right hook, it spelt the beginning of the end.
Pimblett telegraphed Frimpong’s hook to perfection and ducked underneath before taking his rival down to the ground.
The pair continued to roll before Pimblett sat up and wailed down punches on Frimpong, who struggled to keep the UFC star off of him.
It wasn’t long before Pimblett took Frimpong’s back and from there, it was a matter of when, not if the former would end proceedings.
3
Pimblett made sure a rival wouldn’t be talking smack any moreCredit: @DwightSchruteOn via X
Pimblett quickly locked in a tight rear-naked choke that left Frimpong struggling for air.
Realising there was no way out, Frimpong conceded defeat and tapped out.
However, Pimblett evidently wanted to send a message to his rival as he refused to let go.
It took several onlookers to intervene and get Pimblett to release the hold.
Such was the tension, a brief push-and-shove broke out next to the fighters but nothing came of it.
Once the respective camps separated, Pimblett and Frimpong shared an embrace to signal an end to their feud.
3
A brawl almost erupted amongst the onlookers after Pimblett forced Frimpong to tap outCredit: @DwightSchruteOn via X
Although Pimblett is not on the upcoming London card on March 22, his scrap with Frimpong proved he is in top condition as he awaits his next fight.
Pimblett has not fought since he submitted King Green, also known as Bobby Green, at UFC 304 in July last year.
The 30-year-old holds an impressive record of 22-3 and is riding a six-fight win streak in the UFC.
In a shocking turn of events at the latest MMA event, rising star Paddy Pimblett found himself in the middle of a potential mass brawl after putting a controversial choke hold on his rival.
The tension between Pimblett and his opponent had been building for weeks leading up to the fight, but things escalated quickly in the octagon. After securing a dominant position, Pimblett applied a choke hold that many deemed to be excessive and dangerous.
As the referee attempted to intervene, Pimblett’s rival’s cornermen rushed into the ring to confront him, sparking chaos and nearly starting a mass brawl. Pimblett was eventually dragged off his opponent, but not before tempers flared and tensions reached a boiling point.
The incident has sparked outrage among fans and critics alike, with many calling for Pimblett to face consequences for his actions. The future of Pimblett’s career is now in question as he faces backlash for his controversial choke hold and the near-mass brawl that ensued.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more details emerge about the fallout from Pimblett’s actions in the octagon.
Supercell has released the Brawl Stars Season 34 Brawl Pass, bringing exciting new rewards such as skins and chromas. This progression-based reward track allows players to advance by collecting Brawl Pass XP. Additionally, there are three versions of the pass: Free Pass, Brawl Pass, and Brawl Pass Plus.
This article highlights the rewards, cost, and other details of the Brawl Stars Season 34 Brawl Pass.
Everything you need to know about the Brawl Stars Season 34 Brawl Pass
Featured skins in premium variants Brawl Pass (Image via Supercell)
Rewards
The Brawl Stars Season 34 Brawl Pass was released on January 2, 2025, and will be available until February 6, 2025. Here are all the rewards featured in the Season 34 pass:
Tier
Free Pass
Brawl Pass
Free
500 Power Points
1000 Bling
1500 Bling
1
Starr Drop
New Player Pin
–
2
100 Credits
100 Credits
–
3
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
4
1000 Coin
1000 Coin
1500 Coin
5
Starr Drop
New Player Pin
–
6
100 Credits
100 Credits
–
7
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
8
10 Gems
10 Gems
10 Gems
9
Starr Drop
New Player Pin
–
10
1000 Power Points
1000 Power Points
11
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
12
100 Credits
100 Credits
–
13
Starr Drop
New Player Pin
–
14
1000 Coins
1000 Coins
–
15
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
16
100 Credit
100 Credits
–
17
Starr Drop
New Player Pin
–
18
10 Gems
10 Gems
10 Gems
19
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
20
1000 Coins
1000 Coins
–
21
Starr Drop
New Spray
–
22
100 Credit
100 Credit
–
23
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
24
1000 Power Points
1000 Power Points
–
25
Starr Drop
Unlock any Brawler (Upto Epic)
–
26
100 Credits
100 Credits
–
27
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
28
10 Gems
10 Gems
10 Gems
29
Starr Drop
New Player Pin
–
30
1000 Coins
1000 Coins
–
31
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
32
100 Credits
100 Credits
–
33
Starr Drop
New Player Pin
–
34
1000 Coins
1000 Coins
–
35
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
36
100 Credits
100 Credits
–
37
Starr Drop
New Player Pin
–
38
10 Gems
10 Gems
10 Gems
39
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
40
1000 Coins
1000 Coins
–
41
Starr Drop
New Player Pin
–
42
10 Gems
10 Gems
10 Gems
43
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
44
1000 Coins
1000 Coins
1500 Coins
45
Starr Drop
New Player Icon
–
46
100 Credits
100 Credits
47
Starr Drop
100 Bling
–
48
1000 Coins
1000 Coins
49
100 Credits
100 Credits
–
50
Legendary Starr Drop
Hebi Kenji skin
After completing the reward track, a Starr Drop will be granted for every 1600 Brawl Pass XP earned.
The cost of the Brawl Stars Season 34 Brawl Pass is charged in the local currency and varies with the players’ geographical location. The price in USD and details of all three passes are as follows:
Free Pass: It is free for all players, and rewards at each tier are unlocked after collecting enough Brawl Pass XP.
Brawl Pass: It costs 6.99 USD, and offers extra rewards on top of the Free Pass. Additionally, purchasing the Pass from the Supercell Store will grant 10% progression and 350 points for the Supercell ID Rewards.
Brawl Pass Plus: The Brawl Pass Plus costs 9.99 USD. It offers players rewards from the Free Pass, Brawl Pass, a Chroma Skin, a Title, and 20% Brawl Pass Progression. Acquiring the pass from the Supercell website will grant 30 % progression and 350 points.
How to progress through the Brawl Stars Season 34 Brawl Pass
Completing Season Quests rewards Brawl Pass XP (Image via Supercell)
You can progress through the Pass by collecting Brawl Pass XP. Here are some reliable means:
Complete the seasonal quests.
Participate or win battles.
Use XP Doublers to double the number of XP acquired. Additionally, players can find free XP Doublers in the in-game shop daily.
Increase the Brawlers’ ranks in your roster.
Claim the free Brawl Pass XP when events change.
Check out our other articles on Brawl Stars:
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Edited by Ashmita Bhatt
Brawl Stars Season 34 Brawl Pass: Cost, rewards, and more
Are you ready for the newest season of Brawl Stars? Season 34 is here and it comes with a brand new Brawl Pass that is filled with exciting rewards and challenges. In this post, we will break down everything you need to know about the Season 34 Brawl Pass, including its cost, rewards, and more.
Cost: The Season 34 Brawl Pass can be purchased for 169 gems, which is equivalent to approximately $9.99 USD. This pass will give you access to exclusive rewards and challenges throughout the season.
Rewards: The Brawl Pass comes with a variety of rewards, including exclusive skins, pins, boxes, coins, and more. Some of the highlights of the Season 34 Brawl Pass rewards include the new Buzz Lightyear skin for Buzz, the Galactic Ranger skin for El Primo, and the Astro Brawl Pins.
Challenges: The Brawl Pass also includes a set of challenges that players can complete to earn additional rewards and progress through the pass. These challenges range from simple tasks like winning a certain number of matches to more difficult objectives like reaching a certain rank in the game.
Overall, the Season 34 Brawl Pass is a great way to enhance your Brawl Stars experience and earn exclusive rewards along the way. So don’t miss out on all the fun and excitement of this new season – grab your Brawl Pass today and start earning those rewards!
An exchange between Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (R) and Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (L) led to a brawl between the two teams on Sunday. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Rockets forward Amen Thompson, whose actions sparked the fight, has been suspended for two games without pay, while Heat guard Terry Rozier has been suspended for one game. Rockets guard Jalen Green has been fined $35,000, and Heat guard Tyler Herro, who was involved in the initial exchange with Thompson, was fined $25,000.
The NBA also fined Rockets head coach Ime Udoka $50,000, with the league citing “verbal abuse of a game official” and saying that Udoka did not leave in a timely manner after being ejected. Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan, who was also ejected from the game, did not get fined.
Additionally, Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was fined $35,000 for an unrelated incident earlier in the game. VanVleet was ejected 10 seconds before the fight after making “reckless contact” with a referee.
The fight began with an altercation between Thompson and Herro, with 35.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter. As the two players bumped into each other, Thompson suddenly got into Herro’s face and grabbed at his jersey, throwing him down to the floor. The incident sparked a full-on brawl, with both teams swarming the two players. It took assistant coaches, staff members and even arena security to diffuse the situation.
It is unclear what exactly led to Thompson’s actions, but the result was a chaotic, bench-clearing brawl that only escalated. The four players — Thompson, Green, Rozier and Herro — and two Rockets coaches were given technical fouls and ejected from the game. When play eventually resumed, the Heat held on for the final 30 seconds to get the four-point win.
With the punishment, Thompson will miss the Rockets’ matchups against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and Boston Celtics on Friday. Rozier will miss the Heat’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
The NBA has officially handed down punishments for the heated altercation between Miami Heat’s Amen Thompson and Houston Rockets’ Terry Rozier during their recent game. Both players have been suspended for their roles in the brawl, with Thompson receiving a one-game suspension and Rozier receiving a two-game suspension.
The incident occurred in the fourth quarter of the game, when tensions between the two players escalated and led to a physical altercation. Both players were ejected from the game, and now they will have to serve their suspensions as a result of their actions.
This serves as a reminder that fighting has no place in the game of basketball, and the NBA will not tolerate any form of violence on the court. Hopefully, both players will learn from this experience and come back stronger and more disciplined in the future.
Tags:
Amen Thompson, Terry Rozier suspension, NBA punishments, Heat-Rockets brawl, NBA brawl suspensions, Amen Thompson news, Terry Rozier news, NBA discipline news, NBA fights, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, NBA suspensions.
An unruly Jack in the Box customer got a big a surprise after she accosted staffers over a missing curly fry order — and found herself on the receiving end of a beat-down by fed-up workers.
Footage from the fast food joint — believed to be in Spartanburg, South Carolina, according to the Daily Mail — showed a woman in a black beanie stomp up to the counter and shout at employees in the kitchen about missing items from her “three f–king combos.”
The woman hurled insults and objects at the Jack in the Box workers. Youtube/SharkOnLand1229
“Do you f**king understand me? You owe me three curly fries. You left my sister’s s–t out,” she yelled in footage circulating on social media.
“Fix my s–t, or I will blow this whole motherf–ker up, do you f–king understand me? Fix it now!”
Employees in the back could be heard saying that they would get the food — but then the woman started screaming and hurling display signs from the counter at workers.
Once the projectiles started flying, the employees advanced, and the woman started in on a taunting dance before swiping a slap at one of them.
After she tossed a heavy metal sign at an employee, she got socked. Youtube/SharkOnLand1229The woman was irate at the Jack in the Box workers over an error in her order. Youtube/SharkOnLand1229
She then picked up a metal object and hurled it at one of the workers, who dodged it and then jumped up on the counter and clocked her in the head with a punch.
The blow knocked her cap off and sent her staggering.
Then an all-out brawl erupted as the employees poured over the counter and started throwing punches, while somebody who was with the woman joined in and stared pulling hair.
Bystanders filming the fight jeered as the blows rained down, and the clip cut out as somebody yelled “Don’t f–k with black people.”
Others could be heard saying “We gotta get outta here,” and that the police should be called.
It is unclear whether law enforcement got involved, or whether the woman got her curly fries.
In a shocking turn of events, a fight broke out at a Jack in the Box location after a customer’s order of curly fries went missing. The incident occurred at a crowded restaurant in the midst of the lunch rush, when the customer realized that their beloved curly fries were not included in their meal.
Witnesses say that the customer became visibly upset and began demanding to speak to a manager about the missing fries. As tensions escalated, other customers in line started to take sides, with some supporting the disgruntled customer and others defending the restaurant staff.
Before long, the situation spiraled out of control and a full-blown brawl erupted, with fists flying and chaos ensuing. The sound of shouting and crashing could be heard throughout the restaurant, as employees and customers alike got caught up in the melee.
Eventually, the police were called to the scene to break up the fight and restore order. No serious injuries were reported, but the incident left a lasting impression on those present.
The missing curly fries may never be found, but the memory of the all-out brawl at Jack in the Box will surely linger in the minds of those who witnessed it. Let this be a cautionary tale about the power of fast food and the importance of keeping a cool head in tense situations.
Josh Giddey has recorded his second triple-double for the Bulls after playing a pivotal role in a 116-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday at Chicago.
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In what was Giddey’s first game back from an ankle injury, the Australian was involved from the very start on his way to a team-high 23 points to go with 15 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal and a block.
Tue, 31 Dec
Tuesday December 31st
With it, Giddey became the first Bulls player to record multiple triple-doubles in a single season since Jimmy Butler in 2016-17, and the youngest with multiple since Michael Jordan.
Giddey was particularly physical in crashing the glass and fighting for rebounds and while he was putting his stamp on the game with his playmaking, as is usually the case, it was particularly pleasing to see him also making an impact on the defensive end.
That was especially true down the stretch as Giddey had two consecutive contests on Khris Middleton, forcing tough shots with the Bucks forward making one of two attempts.
“Josh has got length so just trying not to foul him and trying to make him shoot over him was what we hoped to,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said of Giddey’s efforts on Middleton.
“He made a couple in the lane and he’s hard to handle because he’s got size and he can get it off but I thought Josh really competed and battled defensively.”
The execution wasn’t always perfect but the effort was certainly there from Giddey, who had a clutch, go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute of the game and then backed it up with another strong defensive possession to help force a turnover that led to a Patrick Williams bucket on the other end.
That shot put Chicago up 111-108 inside the final 50 seconds before a Brook Lopez triple tied the game, but Coby White, who had 22 points in the win, put the Bulls back ahead 113-111 before Giddey hustled for another key defensive rebound to help seal the win.
The Bucks fouled Giddey, who made both free throws to extend the lead out to 115-111. Lopez then missed his next 3-point attempt and another Zach LaVine free throw was enough to see Chicago home.
It was particularly telling that Giddey was playing in the final minutes of the game, having previously not been trusted in clutch situations due to his issues on defence.
On Sunday, however, Giddey gave Donovan no choice but to play him and the Australian repaid the Bulls coach with a few big plays to secure the win.
“I’ve seen growth in that area and I’ve seen competitiveness in that area,” Donovan said of Giddey’s development on the defensive end.
“He’s got size, he’s got length and he’s got good feet. I think the biggest thing is how he can navigate screening actions and I think he fought through a lot. I thought he fought on post-ups.
“He’s capable but he’s got to do it consistently… when you point out things to him, he realises areas (he needs to improve). He enjoys watching film, he wants to find ways to get better. He’s been willing to grow in that area and I’ve seen significant progress.”
Giddey told Chicago Sports Network’s K.C. Johnson in his post-game interview that it was “good to be in there” late in the fourth quarter, adding that his previously injured ankle felt “great”.
“In this environment you guys (the crowd) were unbelievable and we feed off this energy. Not just myself but the rest of the guys that finished that game,” added Giddey.
“I thought we executed really well down the stretch. We were composed, we were poised and that’s a really good team. That’s an experienced team that has won a championship. They know how to close out games… that was a much-needed win.”
It was a huge result for the Bulls, coming off a 141-133 loss to the Hawks which saw them cough up 50 points in the fourth quarter. Back-to-back defeats of 21 and 25 points to the Bucks and Celtics preceded that result.
Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates a three pointer against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at the United Center on December 28, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
ELSEWHERE…
The NBA has suspended Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall for four games and Phoenix Suns centre Jusuf Nurkic for three games for their roles in an on-court brawl.
Dallas forward P.J. Washington copped a one-game and all of the suspensions handed down on Sunday are without pay.
Nurkic and Marshall came to blows and were ejected during the Mavericks’ 98-89 win at Footprint Center.
Things came to a head early in the third quarter when Nurkic was called for an offensive foul, sending the Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford to the floor inside the paint.
After a few moments, Nurkic and Marshall converged, with the former slapping Marshall on the noggin before Marshall punched his opponent up high.
P.J. Washington also shoved Nurkic in the middle of all this, sending him tumbling back near mid-court.
Officials then stepped in to prevent the teams from doing any further damage.
When all was said and done, all three players were ejected from the contest and Suns coach Mike Budenholzer was left unimpressed.
“I think that level of altercation is not good for our team,” he said after the game.
“It’s not good for anybody individually, it’s not good for our league.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd saw it a different way, saying he was happy with how his players protected themselves.
“They were protecting each other. That’s what that was,” Kidd said, according to the Dallas Morning News.
“Emotions can get high. For our guys to protect each other, we talk about it and it was displayed tonight.”
Suns rookie Ryan Dunn told reporters after the game that Nurkic and Marshall were talking with one another after the original offence foul before things got physical.
“I think it was just the heat of the moment, they were chipping back and forth,” Dunn said. “Heat of the moment we’re here for Nurk.”
Dunn clarified why he was in de-escalation mode and not trying to add to the fray.
“I’m a rookie, I don’t have enough money to be getting fined $5,000,” he said with a laugh. “I can’t throw a punch, but just trying to de-escalate it.”
Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid was fined $120,000 AUD by the NBA on Friday for making “obscene gestures on the playing court” in the Sixers’ 118-114 victory over the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day.
The league said in a statement the incidents occurred in the first half of the 76ers’ victory in Boston, in which Embiid scored 27 points with nine rebounds.
Embiid celebrated a layup in the first half with the “DX crotch chop” thrusting gesture he has adopted from professional wrestling and been fined for in the past.
He had another gesture for Boston fans after a three-pointer shortly before halftime.
The 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player has appeared in just nine games this season because of injuries — the latest a sinus fracture that has him playing in a protective mask — and a three-game suspension for a physical altercation with a journalist.
Embiid had another injury scare before Wednesday’s game, falling over the security rope at the perimeter of the court during warm-ups and grabbing his right ankle.
He appeared untroubled during the game, but was listed as “questionable” for Saturday’s game against the Utah Jazz with the sinus fracture and a left foot sprain.
Josh Giddey shines with a triple-double in win against Bucks, Naji Marshall and Jusuf Nurkic engage in heated brawl during Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns matchup, suspensions and fines handed out, Joel Embiid dominates on the court
Amen Thompson threw Tyler Herro to the court on Sunday night to start a wild brawl in Houston. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Amen Thompson and Tyler Herro sparked a massive benches-clearing brawl in the final seconds of the Miami Heat’s 104-100 win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.
With about 30 seconds left at the Toyota Center, Herro and Thompson were jostling for position ahead of an inbounds pass when things suddenly erupted. Thompson then suddenly got into Herro’s face and grabbed him by the collar before he ripped him down to the floor. Instantly, Thompson and Herro were swarmed by both teams onto the pile as chaos ensued.
It took several assistant coaches, staff members and even arena security to diffuse the situation. Herro was seen clapping at Thompson as they were both being held back.
That naturally led to a slew of ejections, including Thompson, Jalen Green and Houston coach Ime Udoka. Terry Rozier and Herro were both ejected for the Heat. While it’s unclear what sparked the incident specifically, the league is sure to hand out fines and further punishment as a result in the coming days.
Despite the chaotic final sequence, the Heat held on down the stretch to grab a four-point win. Herro had a team high 27 points and nine assists for Miami, which improved to 16-14 with the victory. Nikola Jokic added 18 points off the bench, and Haywood Highsmith finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.
Dillon Brooks led the Rockets with 22 points in the loss. Alperen Sengun finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds, and Green had 19 points before he was ejected. Thompson had just five points off the bench.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets took a violent turn last night as tensions boiled over on the court. In a shocking move, Heat forward Amen Thompson threw Rockets guard Tyler Herro to the court, igniting a massive brawl that spilled onto the sidelines.
The altercation began when Herro and Thompson got tangled up under the basket, leading to some heated words exchanged between the two players. Thompson, known for his physical style of play, quickly escalated the situation by aggressively throwing Herro to the ground.
The incident immediately sparked chaos on the court, as players from both teams rushed to defend their teammates. Coaches and officials struggled to break up the melee, as punches were thrown and tempers flared.
The referees ultimately ejected Thompson and Herro from the game, but the damage had already been done. The violent altercation between the two players is sure to result in fines and suspensions from the league, as the NBA does not tolerate such behavior on the court.
Fans and analysts alike were left stunned by the intense brawl, which overshadowed what was supposed to be a competitive game between two playoff contenders. The fallout from this incident is sure to have far-reaching consequences for both teams, as they deal with the fallout from this ugly incident.
As the dust settles on this chaotic night in Miami, one thing is clear: tensions between the Heat and Rockets are at an all-time high, and the repercussions of Thompson’s actions are sure to reverberate throughout the league.
The Phoenix Suns’ Jusuf Nurkić and Naji Marshall of the Dallas Mavericks got into an on-court confrontation that became a brawl in Friday’s game. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
The NBA acted quickly in issuing penalties to the players involved in a brawl during Friday night’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns.
Dallas’ Naji Marshall has been suspended for four games without pay, while Phoenix’s Jusuf Nurkić received a three-game penalty (also without pay) for their involvement in the scuffle, NBA head of basketball operations Joe Dumars announced in a statement.
Additionally, the Mavericks’ P.J. Washington was suspended one game for “escalating the on-court altercation.”
Though Marshall was likely to receive the longer suspension since he threw a punch, the NBA’s statement explained that the Mavericks forward attempted to confront Nurkić again after their ejections outside the teams’ locker rooms.
The melee occurred during the third quarter when Nurkić elbowed Dallas center Daniel Gafford in the jaw, resulting in an offensive foul. Nurkić then walked down the court, but turned back in response to something Marshall said.
As Marshall put his hands on Nurkić’s chest to keep him at a distance, the Suns’ big man smacked Marshall in the head. The Mavericks forward responded by punching Nurkić with his right hand.
Here’s the sequence that led to three ejections. Nurkic extends his arm, fouls Gafford. Nurkic mushes Marshall’s head. Marshall punches back. pic.twitter.com/1yoZTP9Kyj
Marshall, Nurkić and Washington were each ejected from the game, which eventually ended in a 98–89 Mavericks victory.
As the NBA explained, Marshall received the longer suspension because he threw a punch and tried to resume hostilities. Yet his adding an image of the moment to the banner of his X account soon after the incident demonstrated that he had no remorse for his actions. (Marshall has since changed the banner image.)
Screen cap from Naji Marshall’s X/Twitter account on Dec. 27, 2024.
Marshall finished with four points, while Washington compiled seven. Nurkić scored five points before being ejected.
All three players will begin serving their suspensions Saturday. The Mavericks (20–11) continue their four-game road trip at the Portland Trail Blazers with Luka Dončić (calf strain) and Dereck Lively II (hip contusion) also out of the lineup due to injuries. The Suns (15–15) visit the Golden State Warriors.
The NBA has announced suspensions for Dallas Mavericks’ Naji Marshall and Phoenix Suns’ Jusuf Nurkić following their involvement in a heated altercation during a recent game. Marshall has been suspended for 4 games, while Nurkić will sit out for 3 games.
The incident occurred in the third quarter of the game between the Mavericks and Suns, when Marshall and Nurkić got into a physical confrontation after a hard foul. Both players had to be separated by teammates and officials, and the incident quickly escalated into a full-blown brawl.
After reviewing the footage and conducting interviews with the players and officials involved, the NBA determined that both Marshall and Nurkić had violated the league’s rules on unsportsmanlike conduct and physical altercations. As a result, they have been handed suspensions as a deterrent against future incidents.
The suspensions will be effective immediately, meaning Marshall and Nurkić will miss the upcoming games for their respective teams. The Mavericks and Suns will have to make adjustments to their lineups in the absence of these key players, as they aim to maintain their positions in the competitive Western Conference standings.
Both players have issued statements expressing regret for their actions and accepting the consequences of their behavior. They have apologized to their teammates, coaches, and fans for their actions, and have pledged to learn from this experience and conduct themselves better in the future.
The NBA has reiterated its commitment to promoting a safe and respectful playing environment for all players, coaches, and officials. Incidents like this brawl will not be tolerated, and the league will continue to enforce strict penalties to deter such behavior in the future.
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