Jordan Clarkson defends suspended Pelicans guard brawling with Suns center: ‘Did what was right’

NEW ORLEANS — Connecting punches and fights are rare in the NBA these days, but New Orleans point guard Jose Alvarado, a Brooklyn product, hit Phoenix’s Mark Williams with a haymaker over the weekend and Jordan Clarkson applauded the reaction.

“I feel like that’s [Alvarado’s] MO. Small guy, guys try to do that since he’s been in the league and he’s always held his own, being aggressive,” Clarkson said. “He’s made his mark in this league and I think that doesn’t — I don’t think he would have reacted any other way. I think he did what was right.”

Williams lightly pushed Alvarado in the third quarter of Saturday’s 123-114 victory for the Suns. Alvarado then turned around and got tangled up with Williams, who swung first at the much smaller opponent but missed. Alvarado countered with a right hand windup and contact with Williams’ head.

Williams was suspended one game. Alvarado was suspended two games, including Monday’s showdown against the Knicks.

The fight occurred in the second game of back-to-back between the Suns and Pelicans, a miniseries that had already included some tense moments

“I think it’s a lot of built-up tension,” Mikal Bridges said. “That’s what happens when you put those two games for like a mini playoff series. I know both of those guys. So it was crazy. They got a little couple-game rest.