NBA suspends star over ugly altercation

The NBA has come down hard on Nikola Jokic for his violent exchange with a rival, announcing a punishment that left Shaquille O’Neal angry.

Nikola Jokic retaliated and hit Markieff Morris hard.

NBA reigning MVP Nikola Jokic has been suspended for one game, including his salary, the league announced on Wednesday.

The ban comes after the ugly scenes between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat where Jokic, and opposition players Markieff Morris and Jimmy Butler all lost their cool.

Despite Jokic being the one to retaliate after first being struck by Morris, the Serbian star was the only player suspended over the incident.

It all kicked off when Morris came from an unsighted position to smack Jokic around the face after charging into his ribs during the fourth quarter of the game.

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The 26-year-old Nuggets giant didn’t take kindly to that, immediately charging towards Morris — who had his back turned — and elbowing him hard in the back.

The old fashioned hip and shoulder knocked Morris to the ground, where he remained for several minutes wincing in pain.

As Jokic made his way to the bench, tensions threatened to boil over as Heat star Jimmy Butler defended his teammate, yelling in the direction of Jokic: “Bring you a** to the back!”.

The league handed down its punishments over the incident 24 hours later.

Nikola Jokic retaliated and hit Markieff Morris hard.

Nikola Jokic retaliated and hit Markieff Morris hard.

Butler has been fined $30,000. Morris has been fined $50,000. However, Jokic received a far more severe reprimand, having been fined for one game and having his salary withheld for that game.

Earning $30 million per year, Jokic’s fine is the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley were unhappy about the punishment given to Jokic when it was first announced on Wednesday.

O’Neal said Jokic had a right to protect himself.

“I like what he did,” he said.

“When you’re bigger and stronger these are the tactics that the little Earthlings use against you.”

Barkley said Morris should also have been suspended.

Earlier, the NBA erupted over the incident.

Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris were both ejected from the game after the two exchanged hard fouls. pic.twitter.com/AtOklXIU5k

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 9, 2021

Jimmy Butler had words for Nikola Jokic after his foul on Markieff Morris. pic.twitter.com/iZnZbDs7uH

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 9, 2021

Have never seen Nikola Jokic do something like that before.

Scary stuff with Morris down and the stretcher out.

Jokic’s frustration had been building all night with Miami’s physicality. Inexcusable.

— Mike Singer (@msinger) November 9, 2021

Also, cheap shoting Jokic seems like just an incredibly stupid idea.

— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) November 9, 2021

I am not going to fault Nikola Jokic for taking exception to the hard foul by Markeiff Morris, but to blast Morris from behind is what’s going to get Jokic fined and/or suspended. The NBA can’t & won’t allow it. I also wouldn’t recommend mixing it up with Jokic. He sent a message

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) (@JacobCHatch) November 9, 2021

People defending the Jokić cheap shot tonight are insane.

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) November 9, 2021

Jokic had a superb game otherwise, scoring 25 points along with 10 assists and 15 rebounds to record a triple-double as Denver won 113-96.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Jokic said he regretted striking Morris, adding it was a spur of the moment decision to retaliate to his “dirty shot” that went beyond a standard take foul.

“It’s a stupid play,” he said.

“I feel bad. I’m not supposed to react that way. But it’s in the middle of the game, I get hit. I saw him, I just thought it was going to be like a take foul. He kind of bumped me.

“I think it was a dirty play and then I just needed to protect myself.

“I thought it was a dirty foul, a dirty shot.

“Me and Bam (Adebayo) was fighting me the whole night, it was a nice fight.

“I think you can play fair play and still play aggressive and still like fight with a guy. I thought it was a little bit over the edge so that’s why I reacted.”

This bump on Jokic has the MVP fuming.

He took out his anger by knocking Markieff Morris to the ground.

Miami coach Eric Spoelstra was furious after the game, arguing Jokic’s hit on Morris was completely “uncalled for”.

“That was a very dangerous, dirty play,” Spoelstra said.

“I thought Kieff took a foul. It was one of those fast break take fouls and he did it with his shoulder.

“You might deem that as a little bit more than just slapping somebody but after I watched it on film, it was a take foul. That’s how I saw it.

“And the play after that, that’s just absolutely uncalled for.

“This whole thing could have been a whole lot uglier if Markieff was actually facing Jokic. “The fact that he had his back turned and he made a play like that, blindsiding him, that was just a very dangerous play.”