NBA suspends Nikola Jokic, fines Markieff Morris, Jimmy Butler
The NBA announced on Tuesday that it suspended Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic one game without pay for shoving Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris during a game on Monday.
The league also fined Morris $50,000 for his flagrant foul that preceded Jokic's shove and Heat forward Jimmy Butler $30,000 for "attempting to escalate the altercation and failing to comply with an NBA security interview."
Jokic will miss Wednesday's Nuggets game against the Indiana Pacers.
Jokic was ejected after a retaliatory shove to Morris' back during Monday's Nuggets win. Jokic took exception to a hard foul by Morris near midcourt that was eventually ruled a flagrant 2. Morris body checked Jokic and elbowed him in the ribs, then walked away before Jokic chased him down from behind and shoved him to the court.
Nikola Jokic clobbers Markieff Morris from behind late in the fourth quarter and things get intense. pic.twitter.com/9RclknqIKB
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) November 9, 2021
As Morris remained lying on the floor, Butler approached the Nuggets bench and appeared to invite somebody on the team to meet him out back.
Jimmy Butler sticks up for his guys. pic.twitter.com/B65QEs4upX
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) November 9, 2021
Butler was later seen alongside some teammates standing outside the visiting locker room at Ball Arena, which is steps away from the Nuggets locker room.
Great photo of the Miami Heat waiting to confront the Nuggets in the hallway!
📷 @Aaronontiveroz pic.twitter.com/ZWK7Wo3aN1— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 9, 2021
The incident led to Morris' twin brother, Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris, trading threats with Jokic's brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, on social media. The Nuggets next play the Heat on Nov. 29 in Miami. They'll travel to face the Clippers on Dec. 26.