Enlarge image
Nikola Jokic was sent off by the referees
Photo:
David Zalubowski / AP
As the first center since Shaquille O'Neal, Nikola Jokic was voted the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) by the Denver Nuggets last season.
At 113: 96 (64:59) against the Miami Heat, Jokic has now caused a sensation with an assault.
2:39 minutes before the end, the Nuggets were already leading with 17 points, Jokic was jostled at the center line by Miami's Markieff Morris.
Jokic then freaked out, took a run-up and rammed the shoulder into the back of the Morris who had run on.
Morris crashed onto the hall floor and initially lay there.
Both Morris and Jokic were sent off by the umpires.
Miami announced that Morris apparently sustained a neck injury.
"A stupid move"
It was a “dangerous and dirty” foul, said heat coach Erik Spoelstra, “that was absolutely inappropriate”.
"I felt I had to protect myself," said Jokic.
“But I shouldn't react like that and thereby be thrown out of the game”, “it was a stupid action”.
"I feel bad, really bad," said Jokic.
Jokic is now threatened not only with a fine, but also with a ban.
That could be a problem for the Nuggets: With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., the other two star players are already injured.
And the next game is on Thursday morning (CET).
The Nuggets have six wins and four losses in the Western Conference, the win against Miami was the second in a row.
hba / AP
