In a shocking turn of events that startled spectators and announcers at the United Center, Nuggets star Nikola Jokić was dismissed from Tuesday night’s 114-106 victory over the Chicago Bulls by Denver.
Jokić attempted a reverse layup through Bulls center Nikola Vučević right before halftime as he drove through the lane. Jokić battled through numerous physical challenges as he failed to make the layup. The ball was swiftly redirected by the Bulls when they grabbed the rebound.
Upon beginning his descent down the court, Jokić hurriedly approached the official, uttered a few words, and then resumed his argument. In the blink of an eye, Jokić was benched from the game after receiving a technical foul.
Even the NBC Sports Chicago announcers found the ejection to be “terrible” and “excessive,” and Nuggets head coach Michael Malone appeared bewildered by the situation.
Jokić said something that really got under the official’s skin, even if it’s not obvious what was said exactly. According to crew chief Mark Lindsay, Jokić should have been ejected for using “directed profane language at the official” after the game. Lindsay would not disclose Jokić’s exact words, but she did clarify that he was only assessed one technical infraction.
“I crossed the line, but sometimes that word doesn’t cross the line,” Jokić told reporters afterwards. Just the way it is.
Thus, that was the end of his evening. In 16 minutes played, he managed to get four points, nine boards, and six assists.
Jokić, who had just finished his second title run with the Nuggets and is a two-time league MVP, came into the game averaging a ninth-best season for him with 28.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 9.6 assists. Twice this season, he has been sent off.
At the break, the Nuggets led the Bulls 57-50. Coming into Tuesday’s game, they had lost three of their previous four. They were in the lead for the majority of the game, with the exception of a small portion of the first quarter, and they came storming back in the second half to claim victory.
Despite shooting just 8 for 15 from the floor, Bulls forward Coby White finished with 27 points. Vučević chipped in with 16 boards and 26 points. Following a four-game winning streak, the Bulls have dropped to 9-15 on the season after suffering back-to-back losses.
In Jokić’s absence, Reggie Jackson scored 25 points for the Nuggets, making 9 out of 16 field goal attempts. Julian Strawther scored 16 points in just under 30 minutes off the bench, and Michael Porter Jr. contributed 17 points and 7 boards.
Andrea Parker is a reporter for Zobuz. She previously worked at Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Andrea is based in NYC and covers issues affecting her city. In addition to her severe coffee addiction, she’s a Netflix enthusiast, a red wine drinker, and a voracious reader.
