Nikola Jokic is likely facing a suspension after decking Markieff Morris in Denver on Monday night. Jokic and Morris were both ejected, and Morris was lucky to walk off the court after a stretcher was initially brought out for him. Just watch:
With the Heat trailing in a blowout loss in Denver, Morris committed a hard foul against Jokic as the Nuggets star was bringing the ball up. After the whistle, Jokic chased down Morris and laid him out like he was Brian Dawkins playing under 1999 NFL rules. Morris was writhing on the ground with an apparent neck injury for several minutes before walking off the court.
The ejection and probable suspension could be the least of Jokic’s problems, as a furious Jimmy Butler repeatedly beckoned Jokic to “Bring yo ass to the back!” In an understatement, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called it a “dangerous, dirty play,” saying “it’s absolutely uncalled for.”
Jokic expressed regret after the game.
“I don’t know who showed me the clip but his head snapped back,” Jokic said of Morris. “I felt really bad.”