Suns forward Jared Dudley fined for escalating conflict in Wizards game

The NBA fined Suns forward Jared Dudley $35,000 for his role in an altercation during the Suns’ Tuesday loss to the Washington Wizards.

The league fined Dudley for “escalating an altercation by confronting and making contact with Washington Wizards forward/center Jason Smith”, per the NBA’s official release.

The scrum occurred early in the second quarter of the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Smith set a screen on Tyler Ulis, knocking Ulis to the floor as the ball was brought up the floor. Smith appeared to have words with Ulis as he stood up.

Dudley came from the other side of the floor and bumped Smith, starting a feud between the two teams. After review, Dudley was ejected from the game.

Washington Wizards guard Brandon Jennings was also ejected and fined $35,000 by the NBA. During the altercation, Jennings made a finger gun gesture in the direction of Dudley. The league said Jennings made “menacing gestures on the playing court as part of the same incident.”