Will Nikola Jokic be suspended? Nuggets MVP ejected for shoving Markieff Morris

Denver’s win over Miami on Monday ended on an ugly note.

In the closing minutes of the game, Heat forward Markieff Morris delivered a hard intentional foul on Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. Jokic responded by shoving Morris in the back, sending him to the ground. A stretcher was brought out for Morris, who remained on the floor for several minutes, but he was eventually able to walk to the locker room under his own power.

The Heat announced that Morris received an apparent neck injury.

Both players were ejected, Morris receiving a flagrant foul 2 and Jokic receiving an unsportsmanlike conduct foul. Jimmy Butler, who was shouting at Jokic while he was on Denver’s bench, also received a technical.

Here’s a video of the full sequence:

Will Nikola Jokic be suspended?

There’s been no announcement as of yet on whether or not Jokic will be suspended, but it’s possible that he will.

Following the game, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra called Jokic’s play “very dangerous” and “dirty.”

“Keef took a foul, and it was one of those fastbreak take fouls, and he did with his shoulder. You might deem that maybe as a little bit more than just slapping somebody, but after watching it on film, it was a take foul. That’s how I saw it. And the play after, that’s just absolutely uncalled for.”

Jokic said himself that it was a “stupid play.”

“I feel bad. I’m not supposed to react that way. It’s in the middle of the game, I got hit. I thought it was just going to be a take foul. He bumped me. I think it was a dirty play. Then I just needed to protect myself. … His head snapped back. I feel really bad. It was a reaction. It’s a bad move.”

When asked about the possibility of Jokic being suspended, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said he’s not “going to waste any of my time looking into my crystal ball and my tea leaves.”

“I don’t have any of that,” he continued. “He’s available until they tell me he’s not. And I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be available Wednesday night.”

ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks speculated that Jokic could earn a two-game suspension.

Nuggets upcoming schedule 2021-22

The Nuggets are currently in a five-game homestand, with matchups against the Pacers, Hawks and Trail Blazers remaining. They will then go on a one-game road trip to Dallas to face the Mavericks.

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The Nuggets are already without Jamal Murray, who is still recovering from a torn left ACL suffered during the 2020-21 season. Additionally, it was revealed that Michael Porter Jr. will be out for the “foreseeable future” with lower back soreness.