Jokic and Morris were both ejected after the altercation. Both teams’ personnel were on the court trying to pacify the heated exchange between some players. Jimmy Butler was seen yelling at the Denver Nuggets’ bench during the melee.
The Miami Heat refused to answer questions from the media in the post-game except for head coach Erik Spoelstra.
Spoelstra apparently took his time to review the play inside the locker room. Here’s what he had to say about the ugly incident (via Brendan Topin):
The multi-titled coach also stressed that as ugly as that fracas was, it could have been a lot worse:
The Miami Heat are known for their rugged and physical play. Their stifling defense is predicated on a scrappy, in-your-face play that often gets under the skin of opponents. Nikola Jokic, being the Denver Nuggets’ most potent threat, was the focal point of that unforgiving Heat defense.
Will the NBA come down hard on Nikola Jokic?
The NBA will certainly take a more detailed look at the play involving Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris. The league will also take into account the events leading into the said confrontation. At the very least, the MVP will get a one-game suspension based on the NBA’s rules on unsportsmanlike fouls.
Nikola Jokic expressed that he “felt bad” about what happened after taking a closer look at the incident. He added that he “needed to protect himself.”
It’s going to be a wait-and-see situation for both camps. Both teams will monitor what punishment will be handed down and how Markieff Morris’s health will be in a few days.
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will travel to Florida to face the Miami Heat on November 29 for a rematch. It’s a date that the NBA will be looking forward to.
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