Nikola Jokic suspended for one game, Markieff Morris fined $50,000 after on-court altercation
Jokic shoved Morris to the ground in the course of the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 113-96 win over the Warmth after Morris had initiated the altercation by committing a flagrant foul 2 on Jokic.
Final season’s MVP Jokic, who scored 25 factors within the sport, will serve his suspension when the Nuggets host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
Each gamers have been ejected after the incident and Morris suffered an obvious neck harm, in line with the Warmth.
Miami ahead Jimmy Butler has additionally been fined $30,000 for “trying to escalate the altercation and failing to adjust to an NBA Safety interview,” the league mentioned.
“It is a silly play, I really feel dangerous. I am not presupposed to react that manner, but it surely’s in the course of the sport, I get hit … I simply wanted to guard myself,” Jokic mentioned of the incident.
The spat has intensified on social media after Monday’s sport, with Morris’ brother, Marcus, tweeting: “Waited until bro turned his again smh. NOTED.”
A brand new Twitter account named “Jokic Brothers” — created by Strahinja and Nemanja Jokic, the brothers of the Nuggets star, in line with the Denver Put up — then replied: “It is best to go away this the way in which it’s as an alternative of publicly threatening our brother! Your brother made a grimy play first. If you wish to make a step additional be certain we can be ready for you!!”
Marcus Morris was later suggested by his mother to remain off social media.
“This complete factor might have been an entire lot uglier if Markieff was truly dealing with Jokic,” Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra instructed reporters in regards to the incident.
“The truth that he had his again turned and he made a play like that, blindsiding him, that is only a very harmful play.”
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, in the meantime, mentioned: “I believe the referees did a very good job of breaking it up and making an attempt to revive order. It is considerably of an unsightly finish to an awesome sport from us, however we’re not going to permit that to remove from the win.”
The Nuggets are 6-4 on the season and the Warmth, who high the Japanese Convention and face the LA Lakers on Wednesday, are 7-3.
