Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić reacts toward referee Tre Maddox and is ejected during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, on Nov. 20, 2023. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) (Nic Antaya via Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and center Nikola Jokić were both ejected in the Nuggets’ game against the Detroit Pistons on Monday. In 15:13 minutes of action, Jokić had nine points, five rebounds and five assists.
Malone received two technical foul calls with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter. Media members covering the game suggested it stemmed from frustration with officials’ calls. At that time, the Pistons were leading 22-21.
Michael Malone just got ejected in Detroit. Unhappy about a couple calls and literally ran on the floor to contest his latest grievance. Walked himself to the locker room damn near before the ejection signal
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) November 21, 2023
Almost a full quarter later, Jokić joined Malone in the locker room. The two-time MVP was irritated with the lack of calls he was receiving. With 1:22 left in the half and Denver leading 51-50, referees sent Jokić to an early shower for complaining after a no-call.
Nuggets fans were far from the only people angered by the situation, and announcers in Detroit reportedly had strong words for the sequence of events.
Denver entered the game after losing three of its last four games and was playing without guard Jamal Murray, who is nursing a strained hamstring.
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The Nuggets came back to win 107-103 as Reggie Jackson (21 points) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (20 points) led the way without Jokić.
The Pistons are on a 12-game losing skid and hold the worst record in the NBA.
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nuggets-coach-michael-malone-center-nikola-jokic-ejected-from-game-vs-pistons-015340547.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2023-11-21 01:53:40
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