NBA Issues Suspension & Fine After Altercation During Nuggets vs Heat Game

NBA announced that Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic has been suspended for one game without pay for forcefully pushing Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris. Morris has been fined $50,000 for his two flagrant fouls that led to Jokic’s retaliation.

The two players suffered consequences following their on-court altercation on Monday. Both players were ejected after the incident. However, last season’s MVP Jokic, who scored 25 points in the game, will serve his suspension when the Nuggets (6-4) host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Jokic shoved Morris to the floor with 2:39 left in Nuggets’ 113-96 win over the Heat. Morris initiated the altercation by committing a flagrant foul 2 on Jokic. Morris also suffered an apparent neck injury, according to the Heat.

“It’s a stupid play, I feel bad. I’m not supposed to react that way, but it’s in the middle of the game, I get hit … I just needed to protect myself,” Jokic said of the incident. The league said that Miami forward Jimmy Butler has also been fined $30,000 for “attempting to escalate the altercation and failing to comply with an NBA Security interview.”

The tussle has taken itself to social media as the brothers of the two players also got embroiled in an argument on twitter. LA Clippers forward Marcus Morris who is Markieff’s twin called Jokic’s actions shady, he also warned that he will “remember this incident”.

In response Jokic’s Brothers wrote: “You should leave this the way it is instead of publicly threatening our brother! Your brother made a dirty play first. If you want to make a step further be sure we will be waiting for you !! Jokic Brothers.”

Seems like the families of the players are taking things too personally. Things like this happen on the court and its better move on and focus on what’s coming next. Miami Heat are are 7-3 this season and will face LA Lakers tomorrow.

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