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.
Article continues after this advertisement“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.
Article continues after this advertisementJokic 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.
