Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic found himself ejected in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls, playing only 16 minutes before expressing frustration with an official, resulting in a technical foul and expulsion.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, discussing the incident postgame, revealed insights into the dialogue that led to Jokic’s ejection.
“The official that tossed him asked me ‘Did you hear what he said?’ I said not. I will not use the phrase that Nikola reportedly used, but he just felt the language that was used warranted a one-tech ejection, which I was very shocked at,” Malone said.
“And when I heard what he said, I said ‘I don’t understand the problem because when I grew up that was a term of endearment in my house. But unfortunate for Nikola, obviously, he was frustrated, felt he got fouled in that late post-up and they decided to toss him. But obviously, we need Nikola out there. He’s a great player.”
Jokic himself admitted deserving the ejection, raising questions about the inconsistency in how certain words are treated by referees.
Despite Jokic’s early exit and the absence of key players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets displayed resilience, securing a 114-106 victory against the Bulls.
