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After Butt Slap, Nikola Jokic Ejected in Nuggets’ Game 2 Loss To Warriors

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots a free throw against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter of the NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on May 14, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Nikola Jokic’s tensions clearly boiled over during Monday’s Nuggets/Warriors playoff game, which saw Golden State prevail 126-106.

It began early in the first quarter when Gary Payton II blocked a shot from Jokic, which led to a Warriors three-pointer and a timeout. On his way to the bench, though, Payton slapped Jokic on the butt, to which exception was taken.

Chaos ensued, but teammates de-escalated the situation before it got out of hand.

“He doesn’t need to do that,” Jokic said after the game. “I just reacted. No need to do that.”

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Jokic also lost his cool in the third quarter, receiving a technical foul for reacting poorly to a call.

A foul non-call against Draymond Green in the fourth led to him yelling at the referees and receiving his second technical and, in the process, an ejection.

“I mean, it’s pretty much everything,” Jokic said after the game. “It is what it is. I’m not supposed to do that, and I’m not going to do that. I think I got fouled in the moment because I heard the slap. That’s why I just reacted.”

The teams meet again Thursday for Game 3.

Andrew Corselli