NBA Won't Suspend Nuggets' Jamal Murray After Tossing Objects On Court Twice
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray lucked out on Tuesday — dodging a suspension from the league after facing heat for tossing items onto the court during Monday's Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Were those items tossed out of frustration? You bet.
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Nuggets fans were on pins and needles thinking a suspension was on the way after cameras caught Murray tossing a towel and heating pad at different points in Denver's loss to Minnesota.
The Athletic / Stadium's Shams Charania shared the NBA's decision on Tuesday.
DENVER - Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets looks for a foul call while playing the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter during Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 6. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The bone-headed Murray couldn't dodge a $100,000 fine by the NBA, a hard pill to swallow but infinitely better than a suspension with his team in a do-or-die situation for the Nuggets.
Murray hasn't played up to his star status this series, but Denver is all but doomed if it loses him.
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"The NBA is fining Nuggets star Jamal Murray for substantial amount after throwing heat pad and towel on court toward official … No suspension," Shams posted on X.
Murray left the game heated, as did the Nuggets, for officiating work they felt cost them the game — disregarding the poor mismatches with personnel or no game plan to benefit from Rudy Gobert's absence on Monday due to the birth of his child.
All that to say, Denver lost the game due to bigger issues than the refs. And Murray seemingly couldn't contain his heat as the Nuggets ran cold against Minnesota.
DENVER - Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets drives as Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends during the second quarter at Ball Arena on Monday, May 6. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Coming off a series where Denver annihilated the Lakers, the Nuggets are suffering a complete meltdown, down in the series with the next two games scheduled for Minnesota.
Key Timberwolves role players like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have stepped up to put defensive pressure on two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Murray, leaving Michael Malone's team with few scoring options beyond third man Michael Porter, Jr.
The frustrations are catching up to Denver in a postseason where many analysts had the Nuggets repeating. Turns out they may not even make the Western Conference Finals.
Coming off a week in which Patrick Beverley tossed a ball at fans, twice, it's surprising to see the NBA take the easy street on Murray's ordeal.
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