Jamal Murray throws heat pack on court in middle of NBA playoff game

An NBA star could be staring down the barrel of a lengthy suspension after a moment of madness during a playoff contest.

Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray could be staring down the barrel of a suspension over a dangerous incident on Tuesday.

In game 2 of their second round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, nothing was going the Nuggets way and the frustration was boiling over.

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Murray endured a tough start to the contest, but it was as he was sitting on the bench when the ugly moment unfolded.

As Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns battled with Michael Porter Jr in the paint for control of the ball.

The ball was tipped out of Towns’ hand, but he regathered and missed a follow-up shot, only for a rebound to be gathered by teammate Kyle Anderson.

Murray was situated at the end of the bench and took his anger out by tossing a heat pack that landed dangerously close to the basket as Towns finished off the play with a lay up.

Play was stopped following the score as Denver’s Kentavious-Caldwell Pope threw the heat pack back to the bench.

Jamal Murray throws heat pack onto the court

Fans watching on couldn’t believe what had just unfolded and as replays of the incident rolled on, many were stunned no punishment was handed out to Murray.

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch after the game said: “It’s inexcusable and dangerous.”

Journalist Keith Smith wrote: “Jamal Murray should have either gotten a technical or gotten throw out. You can’t be throwing sh*t on the floor. That’s crazy dangerous.”

Former player turned analyst Kendrick Perkins wrote: “It’s going to be interesting how the Nuggets are going to look in Game 3 without Murray … because he’s most likely getting suspended for throwing that Heat Pack.”

Fox Sports 1’s Nick Wright wrote: “I don’t know if he will or not, but I’m thinking the same thing. I was shocked this wasn’t the focus of halftime. In the regular season it’s a guaranteed suspension, maybe multiple games.”

Bballbreakdown wrote: “Jamal Murray throwing a heat pack onto the floor during live play could get him suspended for Game 3, and it would be merited. Unbelievably unprofessional and worse: dangerous.”

At halftime ESPN’s Dave McMenamin noted the league would look into the matter which could see Murray hit with a suspension.

“On top of tonight’s outcome, the league will certainly look into this between Games 2 and 3,” he wrote.

Murray had a horror first half. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Wolves entered the second game in enemy territory without defensive juggernaut Rudy Gobert who missed due to the birth of his first child.

The reigning NBA champions were widely predicted to level the series up at 1-1, but the Wolves had other ideas.

A defensive onslaught unfolded as the visiting Wolves tore the heart out of Denver fans by securing the 106-80 victory and go up 2-0 in the series.

Game 3 will take place back in Minnesota at 11:30am on Saturday (AEST). It remains to be seen if the Nuggets will have Murray in their lineup for the contest.

Originally published as Jamal Murray throws heat pack on court in middle of NBA playoff game