Nuggets Star Nikola Jokic Ejected During Bulls Game

During a game against the Chicago Bulls, Nuggets star Nikola Jokic saw himself ejected with only minutes remaining in the second quarter. 

Jokic missed a shot at the rim, which led him to yell at an official. He was reported to say, “Call the foul, m———–,” at the ref.

This led to him receiving a technical foul and being ejected by the referees. 

Later, Jokic acknowledged the use of poor language, saying he “crossed a line” but noted that both he and Nuggets coach Michael Malone were surprised that it led to an immediate ejection. 

“Sometimes it’s not even a technical,” he said. “I crossed the line, I understand, but sometimes that word doesn’t cross the line. It is what it is.”

“Maybe I have to do a better job because if he’s getting fouled or he thinks he’s getting fouled, let me take the tech,” Malone added. “That’s my job as a head coach because I don’t want him being put in that position where he is getting thrown out, because it’s not good for him and, more importantly, it’s not good for the team.”

The game versus the Bulls in Chicago saw a large group of Serbian fans attend. Jokic, who is from Sombor, Serbia, wasn’t aware but did note that Chicago had a big Serbian population.

“It’s the second-biggest Serbian population here. Belgrade is the first, and Chicago is the second. So, maybe they came to see me,” he said. 

The Nuggets ended up winning the game 114-106 and improved their record to 16–9. The Nuggets also won without star Jamal Murray. Jokic finished the game with four points, nine rebounds and six assists. 

Jokic is the third player to be ejected multiple times this season, joining Draymond Green and Jalen Duren. This week, Green was suspended by the Warriors after he punched another player.

Article by Zach Ament