An unsightly conflict between Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris has overshadowed the Denver Nuggets’ NBA win over the Miami Warmth, with each males ejected and livid Warmth gamers attempting to hold issues on after the sport.
Key factors:
- A retaliatory hit by Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic left Miami Warmth’s Markieff Morris with a neck harm of their NBA sport
- The incident sparked a confrontation between the groups, with Miami’s Jimmy Butler gesturing at Jokic to fulfill him exterior
- Each Jokic and Morris have been ejected from the sport – Denver went on to win 113-96
With 2:39 remaining, Morris bumped Jokic within the midsection because the NBA MVP was throwing a cross at half-court.
Jokic retaliated with a tough shoulder into the again of an unsuspecting Morris, whose head snapped again as he fell to the ground.
Morris rolled on the ground in ache as teammates pushed Jokic away.
Medical personnel introduced a stretcher onto the court docket however Morris was in a position to stand up and stroll off the ground on his personal.
Loading
As issues obtained heated, Warmth star Jimmy Butler was on the sidelines, pointing on the Nuggets bench and urging NBA MVP Jokic to “convey that shit to the again [locker room], let’s go”.
Loading
The Warmth gamers have been nonetheless offended after the sport, ready in a hall for Nuggets gamers to return again to the locker room.
The Warmth mentioned Morris suffered an obvious neck harm.
Jokic mentioned he noticed a replay of the altercation and recoiled when he noticed how arduous Morris hit the ground.
“I felt dangerous, actually dangerous,” Jokic mentioned.
Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned they have been nonetheless ready to seek out out extra in regards to the severity of the harm, however that Morris was shifting round within the locker room.
Morris was assessed with a flagrant foul and ejected, Jokic additionally was ejected and Butler acquired a technical foul.
Spoelstra mentioned Jokic’s actions have been “completely uncalled for”, however Jokic mentioned Morris’s preliminary hit went past a tough foul.
Jokic’s teammate, Jeff Inexperienced, mentioned it was “a play that should not occur”.
“I feel Markieff simply went and tried to make a tough foul. I do not suppose he had any intention of wounding Joker,” he mentioned.
“However typically when issues like that occur, you do not know the intention of the opposite particular person and also you simply react and that is what Joker did.”
AP/ABC