Nikola Jokic ejected in Nuggets win; Spoelstra calls hit on Morris a ‘dirty play’
FILE–Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena on October 8, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. Engel/Getty Images/AFP
Nikola Jokic had 25 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his first triple-double of the season before being ejected late in the game as the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 113-96.
Jokic could face possible suspension for retaliating against the Heat’s Markieff Morris and shouldering him hard in the back during a dust-up late in the game. Morris was also ejected.
“I feel bad. I am not supposed to react that way. He bumped me. It was a dirty play and I needed to protect myself,” said Jokic.
Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris were both ejected from the game after the two exchanged hard fouls. pic.twitter.com/AtOklXIU5k
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 9, 2021
The drama started when Morris shouldered Jokic in the midsection at half court with just under three minutes left.
Jokic returned the favor with a shoulder check from behind that sent Morris crashing to the floor. Medical personnel brought out a stretcher but Morris was able to get up and walk off the floor on his own.
“That was a very dangerous, dirty play,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
The teams meet again November 29 in Miami.
