Morris was assessed a flagrant foul 2 and Jokic was ejected before the Nuggets took a 113-96 win over Miami. Jokic’s retaliation from behind will certainly be reviewed by the NBA, which could levy a suspension and fine. “That was a very dangerous and dirty play,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game. “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.”
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk @ ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Nikola Jokic posts triple-double (25 pts, 15 rebs, 10 ast) before being ejected
NBA recap ⬇
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/12… – 4:50 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 33 minutes tonight. He’s the first player in NBA history to post those numbers in 33 minutes or less, per Nuggets PR. – 2:21 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Jokic retaliates on Morris, decks him with big shoulder hit, both ejected (VIDEO) nba.nbcsports.com/2021/11/09/jok… – 2:16 AM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
A full recap of what happened late in the Heat’s loss to the Nuggets between Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… With comments from Jokic, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, Nuggets coach Michael Malone and the officiating crew chief – 2:03 AM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
I’ll have some words up tomorrow on what a possible Jokic suspension would mean for the Nuggets to intro my weekly betting story for @Colorado_Play. Keep an eye out for it.
I also got into some interesting matchups for Nuggets vs Blazers & Nuggets vs Mavericks later this week. – 1:58 AM
Story continues
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
No Heat players were made available to speak after the game, but coach Erik Spoelstra had something to say about Nikola Jokic’s shove of Markieff Morris miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… Spoelstra: “That’s just absolutely uncalled for.” – 1:35 AM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
A complete recap of Monday’s frightening melee between Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Heat’s Markieff Morris. With comment from Spoelstra, Jokic, the officiating crew chief, as well as the details and sanctions to this point, as Morris deals with neck ailment. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 1:33 AM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
NBA on fire. Can sleep when we’re dead. Jokic, Lakers, Steph, Knicks, Morant, everything yall want to talk about.
Radio Roulette hotline is LIVE @TwitterSpaces, presented by @UnderdogFantasy.
Taking your calls all night ⬇️ twitter.com/i/spaces/1ynJO… – 1:30 AM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Five Degrees of Heat from Monday night’s 113-96 loss in Denver: sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h…
1. An ugly, dangerous finish.
2. Jimmy Butler stands alone.
3. Nikola Jokic plays to his pedigree.
4. Fouls foul up Duncan Robinson.
5. Kyle Lowry goes scoreless. – 1:29 AM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Wondering if the coming suspension for Jokic will be such that he misses Monday night vs Mavs at @AACenter – 1:25 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic: “I felt bad for real. I don’t know who showed me the clip. His head snapped back. So I feel really bad. It’s a reaction. It’s a bad move.” pic.twitter.com/UjImsOk4EX – 1:23 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Postgame response from Nikola Jokic: He was expecting a take foul from Markieff Morris but thought it was a dirty play and he needed to protect myself. “I felt bad. I’m not supposed to react that way…if I didn’t react that way it wouldn’t have been a flagrant (on Morris).” pic.twitter.com/2atQRVYYf8 – 1:12 AM
Ben Anderson @BensHoops
Team Jokic tbh – 12:57 AM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Erik Spoelstra blasts Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic for violent blow to Heat’s Markieff Morris, “Absolutely uncalled for.” sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… Spoelstra, “That was a very dangerous, dirty play.” – 12:55 AM
Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Morris’ foul was total bullshit given the game/time situation. That hit would’ve knocked most players on their asses and provoked some sort of retaliation from anyone, but not like that, man. I get it, Jokic was straight seeing red, but you can really fuck somebody up like that. – 12:51 AM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Nikola Jokic: “I don’t know who showed me the clip but [Morris’] head snapped back. I felt really bad.” – 12:51 AM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Nikola Jokic: “It’s a stupid play. I feel bad… I think it was a dirty play and I just needed to protect myself. I am not supposed to react that way… it happens. I feel bad. I am not supposed to react that way but I got to protect myself… it was just in the moment.” – 12:50 AM
Joe Vardon @joevardon
Jokic: ‘It’s a stupid play. I feel bad.’ – 12:49 AM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Things got ugly between the Heat and Nuggets resulting with Nikola Jokic delivering a hard shove from behind to Markieff Morris in a retaliation move for a hard foul from Morris that could result in a possible suspension and fine for the MVP espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 12:48 AM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
The 33.9 net rating swing when Jokic leaves the court (+14.8 on, -19.1 off) has to be the highest in the league. What a flabbergasting drop off. – 12:46 AM
Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
I know Markieff Morris is from North Philly & all but has he ever seen the Jokic brothers? – 12:40 AM
Katy Winge @katywinge
Jeff Green said he thought Morris just wanted to “make a hard foul,” said he didn’t think Morris was trying to hurt Joker.
“Sometimes when things like that happen and you don’t know the intention of the other person, you just react and that’s what Joker did.” – 12:25 AM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Takeaways, details and postgame reaction from the Heat’s loss to the Nuggets and an ugly finish miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… Erik Spoelstra spoke about Jokic’s shove and how Morris was doing after the game – 12:23 AM
Sean Highkin @highkin
I’ve seen the Jokic video and have been observing the discourse about it. – 12:20 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Jeff Green postgame: “It was a play that shouldn’t happen. That’s basketball. You never know the way the game is going. I think Markieff went and tried to make a hard foul. I don’t think he had the intention of hurting Joker.” – 12:16 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic will be talking to the media tonight. – 12:11 AM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
They’re going to suspend Jokic at least 5 games, maybe more – 12:07 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Michael Malone on a potential Nikola Jokic suspension: “I’m not going to waste my time looking through my crystal ball or my tea leaves. I don’t have any of that. 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.” – 12:07 AM
Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
There really is no excuse for this Nikola Jokic cheap shot on Markieff Morris. pic.twitter.com/Xw4gtlOZrV – 12:04 AM
Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
Jimmy Butler chirping Nikola Jokic from the bench is a Hall of Fame “Hold Me Back” moment. pic.twitter.com/AglIbJez4i – 12:03 AM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
I see some jokes about the Jokic brothers in regard to Nikola’s shoulder in Markieff, meanwhile I’m just worried for the poor security guard whose job it would have been to stop the Jokic brothers from doing anything had he needed to. – 11:58 PM
Katy Winge @katywinge
Coach Malone said he’s going to have to go back and watch the play, but he said “I know from just seeing it live, Morris fouled Joker, Joker went and pushed him from behind, and all hell broke lose.”
“Somewhat of an ugly end to a great win for us.” – 11:58 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
If you come at Jokic just know that pic.twitter.com/X86PKlqSvA – 11:56 PM
Malika Andrews @malika_andrews
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says that Markieff Morris is moving around in the locker room but the team will do “necessary tests.”
He added that Morris fouled Jokic but said Jokic executed a “dangerous, dirty play… It’s absolutely uncalled for.” – 11:55 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Nikola Jokic ejected after laying out Markieff Morris with cheap shot in final minutes of Nuggets vs. Heat
cbssports.com/nba/news/nikol… – 11:53 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Erik Spoelstra on the dirty play from Jokic on Morris:
“He’s moving around right now in the locker room. That was a very dangerous, dirty play.”
“This whole thing could’ve got a lot uglier if he was facing Jokic.” – 11:52 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Erik Spoelstra on Nikola Jokic’s shot to Markieff Morris:
“That was a very dangerous, dirty play.”
“Just absolutely uncalled for.” – 11:52 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
“Ooh, Jokic hit him hard. I like that.” – Isiah Thomas, still a Bad Boy, on NBA TV. – 11:51 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Nikola Jokic is having a great season.
25.4 PPG
13.6 RPG (career-high)
5.7 APG
60.9 FG% (career-high)
40.0 3P% (career-high)
35.0 PER (best ALL-TIME)
Suspension coming though. pic.twitter.com/ef4WoVZYzi – 11:46 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Prior to tonight…
Nuggets with Jokic on the floor:
+84 in 285 minutes.
Nuggets without Jokic on the floor:
-67 in 147 minutes
That is why Jokic being suspended for any amount of time is back-breaking for Denver. They literally cannot survive without him. – 11:46 PM
Andrew Sharp @andrewsharp
Markieff ran across the court and hip checked Jokic with the game totally out of reach. That Jokic response was also dirty, but the game is the game. – 11:45 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Say something about the Nikola Jokic-Markieff Morris incident. – 11:43 PM
Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
That was a very impressive win for the Nuggets. Jokic was dominant. Barton was on fire. Defense was elite. Nuggets figured some things out with the bench/rotation.
But the story is going to be Jokic and his pending punishment for that hit on Markieff. – 11:39 PM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic exits pic.twitter.com/sMyYzF3WGj – 11:38 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic being possibly suspended will really hurt a struggling Nuggets team during a homestand without much rest and without Porter or Murray.
Any losing streak could mean the difference between a home-court advantage in the playoffs or being in the play-in tournament. – 11:37 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Markieff Morris and Nikola Jokic are both ejected. Jimmy Butler was also assessed a technical. – 11:32 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Markieff Morris was on the ground for more than 5 minutes of real time after this hit. Stretcher came out, but he walked off under his own power instead. Scary moment. Jokic ejected, more consequences from the league sure to come.
pic.twitter.com/ImIpe8HJXN – 11:32 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
Nikola Jokic is going to mess around and win another MVP.
No MPJ. No Murray.
25-15-10 on 14 shots to easily beat a fully loaded and rolling Heat squad.
Most importantly?
2 blocks, 2 steals and 3-10 shooting for Bam. It’s early but BY FAR best defensive season of his career. – 11:31 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Glad to see that Markieff Morris is okay after that play. He did not need the stretcher that was out on the court.
The refs reviewed the play and:
Flagrant 2 called on Morris
Jokic is also ejected from the game. – 11:31 PM
JD Shaw @JShawNBA
A stretcher was brought out for Heat forward Markieff Morris, who was intentionally hit from behind by Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, but Morris walked off under his own power. Jokic retaliated from Morris’ hard foul and both were ejected. – 11:31 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic should get multiple games for that cheap shot — and it was a cheap shot regardless of the foul Morris gave him. Taking a shot at someone in the back without them knowing is something that cannot happen. – 11:30 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Jokic. Wow. – 11:30 PM
Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
Curious to see how long Jokic gets suspended for. Feel like there will be one. – 11:30 PM
Malika Andrews @malika_andrews
Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris have been given Flagrant 2 fouls. Both have been ejected.
Jimmy Butler was given a technical. – 11:30 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
At this point, I just hope Markieff Morris is ok. That was a blindside shot to the back he took from Jokic. – 11:29 PM
Ethan J. Skolnick @EthanJSkolnick
That, from Jokic, warrants a lengthy suspension – 11:27 PM
Michael Singer @msinger
Have never seen Nikola Jokic do something like that before.
Scary stuff with Morris down and the stretcher out.
Jokic’s frustration had been building all night with Miami’s physicality. Inexcusable. – 11:27 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Wow!
Markieff Morris just ran and hit Jokic with a full on hit.
Jokic didn’t like that and blindsided Morris in the back with full force.
They’re bringing out the stretcher to attend to Morris who has been down for awhile.
Vibes were immaculate for Denver before that play. – 11:27 PM
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
I have no idea what Jokic was thinking – 11:27 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Morris gave Jokic a hard foul. Jokic followed by going straight to him and shoving him to the floor. Ejection and most likely a suspension will be coming for Jokic regardless of Morris’ hard foul. Jokic cannot respond like that. – 11:26 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Bringing the stretcher out for Markieff Morris. Jokic put a shoulder into Morris’ back. – 11:25 PM
Tony Mejia @MejiaDinero
Nikola Jokic lost his mind on Markieff Morris. Cheap shot from behind. He’ll catch a few games for that – 11:25 PM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
HOLY SHIT JOKIC pic.twitter.com/WFsAGCT8xk – 11:25 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic wyd? – 11:24 PM
Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
The vibes could not have been better and then that happened. I gotta think Jokic is getting tossed for the rest of this one and…. – 11:23 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
There’s something about Nikola Jokic humbling the leagues best defenders each and every time out.
He’s annihilated Bam Adebayo in this one. Jokic has 25 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. Embarrassed him – 11:23 PM
Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Welp. Jokic is getting a suspension. – 11:22 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic has 25 points on 14 shots with no 3-pointers.
Oh, and he has 10 assists and just 2 turnovers.
The MVP is fully in control. – 11:22 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Jokic with 25 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. – 11:20 PM
Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Jokic sees every single thing happening on a basketball court form every single angle. At all times. – 11:19 PM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic has made Bam Adebayo look like just another dude tonight. – 11:18 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
That no look Jokic just threw to Gordon was ridiculous but Jeff Green took it all away with the offensive foul – 11:18 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nikola Jokic with his first triple double of the 2021-22 season comes against a Top-5 defense in the league.
21 points
12 rebounds
10 assists
The MVP showed up. – 11:14 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
This Jokic guy isn’t bad. #analysis – 11:14 PM
Katy Winge @katywinge
NIKOLA JOKIC TRIPLE DOUBLE!
And the world felt normal again. – 11:13 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Bones already knows where he can help when playing with Jokic. Great job by him relocating on the perimeter after his defender stunted down to Jokic’s post up. – 10:54 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
19 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in 22 minutes with 7 minutes still left in the 3rd.
Nikola Jokic just keeps dominating. – 10:39 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Not defending Jokic is certainly a choice. – 10:37 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Nikola Jokic just got elite Bam defense against him and it just didn’t matter. He’s on a different plane of existence right now. – 10:34 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Nikola Jokic is fully on triple-double watch at halftime.
15 points
8 rebounds
5 assists
2 steals
He is shooting a perfect 5-5 from the field & is 5-7 from the foul line. – 10:17 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Denver is playing with joy, looks locked in defensively and have dominated on the boards.
Jokic has 15 points, Barton has 13 pts & Morris has 10. At the half, the Nuggets lead 64-49.
If you’re Coach Malone, what’s your message to the team? – 10:15 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Important Nuggets numbers at halftime:
4 turnovers
+5 w/o Jokic on the court
32 paint points
13 free throw shots
Those are massive improvements on issues Denver has been having. They’re attacking the rim with purpose, surviving non-Jokic minutes, & avoiding mistakes. – 10:14 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Nuggets (getting the rim at will) 64, Heat 49 at half. Butler with 21 and that’s about it for Heat. Jokic already with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists for Nuggets. – 10:11 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Nikola Jokic is playing like a create-a-player with maxed stats. He is just impervious to all defenses right now. – 10:09 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nikola Jokic finds Aaron Gordon who then dunks over Tyler Herro— pic.twitter.com/iPKWEHZXf5 – 10:06 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
The Nuggets bench celebrated after that Nikola Jokic dunk and seem to be having a good time.
For the first time in what seems like forever, Denver is playing with joy. – 9:57 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nikola Jokic went to the bench with a big lead and gets back into the game with a big lead. pic.twitter.com/jTXCjTCcjt – 9:52 PM
Spencer Percy @QCHspencer
This one handed rebound + outlet from Jokic in traffic is incredible. pic.twitter.com/7TuRasucwj – 9:21 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
The Nuggets are outscoring teams by 14.2 points per 100 possessions with Jokic on the court this season.
Without Jokic in the game, the Nuggets have been outscored by 21.6 points per 100 possessions. – 8:55 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Sometimes Heat pest Jeff Green starting for Nuggets, alongside Monte Morris, Will Barton, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic. – 8:35 PM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nuggets are moving Jeff Green into the starting lineup in place of Michael Porter Jr. tonight vs. Miami. He starts alongside Monte Morris, Will Barton, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic. – 8:30 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Miami’s going to be throwing nonstop doubles at Nikola Jokic tonight
Want to see how they approach bigs of his caliber – 8:27 PM
Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
If the monitor next to me is accurate, it looks like the Nuggets will start Monte Morris, Will Barton III, Aaron Gordon, Jeff Green and Nikola Jokic tonight vs. Miami. – 8:17 PM
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Your random moment of Jokic genius for the day: Sees eurofoul coming, shoots it from halfcourt. Should have earned three shots for this. pic.twitter.com/emghn410B7 – 3:30 PM
More on this storyline
Harrison Wind: Nikola Jokic: “I thought it was a dirty foul, a dirty shot. Me and Bam were fighting the whole night. It was a nice fight. I think you can play fair and still play aggressive and fight with your guy. But I thought it was a little over the edge. That’s why I reacted.” -via Twitter @HarrisonWind / November 9, 2021
Jokic said he felt the need to protect himself but that he felt bad after seeing how hard he shoved Morris in the back. “It’s a stupid play,” Jokic told reporters after the game. “I feel bad. I am not supposed to react that way. … I thought it was going to be a take foul. … I think it was a dirty play. And I just needed to protect myself. I felt bad. I am not supposed to react that way, but I need to protect myself.” Jokic later added: “I don’t know who showed me the clip, and actually his head snapped back [after the shove], so I feel really bad. … It’s a bad move.” -via ESPN / November 9, 2021
The Athletic: Nikola Jokić threw his shoulder into the back of Markieff Morris… Morris was issued a flagrant foul 2 and Jokić an unsportsmanlike conduct foul. Both players were ejected. Jimmy Butler was also given a technical foul. @BallySportsFL -via Twitter / November 9, 2021
