Jamal Murray, star guard for the Denver Nuggets, has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for throwing a towel and heating pad towards an official during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The league announced the fine, but Murray will not face a suspension.
BREAKING: The NBA will NOT suspend Jamal Murray, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/HidWyEz8Kt
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 7, 2024
The incidents occurred during the Nuggets’ Game 2 loss, with Murray tossing the towel and heating pad in frustration. The official crew chief, Marc Davis, did not witness the incidents in real time, but stated that they could have been reviewed if they were caught by him or his crew. However, Murray would have only received a technical foul, not an ejection.
T-Wolves head coach Chris Finch called Murray’s actions “inexcusable” and “dangerous.” Murray had a poor shooting performance in the game, going 3 of 18 from the field. He did not speak with reporters after the game.
Murray’s struggles shooting may be attributed to a calf strain he has been dealing with. Despite the fine, Murray will not be suspended and will continue to play for the Nuggets. The team is currently down 2-0 in the series against the Timberwolves.
Murray’s frustration boiled over in Game 2 when he threw a heat pack onto the court from the bench. The officials did not notice the incident, so Murray avoided a technical foul during the game. Head coach Michael Malone was not aware of the incident and offered no comment.
Referee Marc Davis stated that he did not see what was thrown onto the court until after the opposing team scored. Murray has struggled in the series against the Timberwolves, averaging only 12.5 points and three assists on 28.1 percent shooting.
The Nuggets showed signs of frustration throughout the game, with Malone screaming at Davis and Aaron Gordon receiving a technical foul. Gordon cited aggressive defense and lack of communication with officials as sources of frustration.
Fans reacted as follows:
he threw 2 things on the court and someone coulda got hurt ngl dis is crazy
— ܑ (@supszns) May 7, 2024
NBA tryna help the nuggets repeat so bad 💀 ANT got us
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) May 7, 2024
The way he intentionally fouled Mike Conley alone deserved a suspension. Mike Conley doesn't bother nobody.
— Global Utopia Sports (@GL8BAL_SPORTS) May 7, 2024
BREAKING: Adam Silver is now allowing people to throw stuff on the court while the game is in play.
— Djboss (@DjbossNA) May 7, 2024
If it was Joel Embiid or anybody on the sixers he’d be suspended lmao
— 💚🦅 (@CookedBy1K) May 7, 2024
Draymond would have been confiscated pic.twitter.com/bpm1sgkDEc
— HaMu🏀⚽️ (@FBball123) May 7, 2024
So, new strategy is to throw a tantrum and throw stuff at the ref you’re mad? Nice.
— FireFoxKaz (@KazHeatCulture) May 7, 2024
Wait, he throws two items onto the court, and they're not going to suspend him. 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/87lORumNPE
— FastBreakPhenom (@FastBreakPhenom) May 7, 2024
First Embiid now Murray, the NBA will not compromise their playoffs this year no matter who gets hurt or could have caused an injury 😂
— N.Johnson (@_NikoJohnson) May 7, 2024
Jokic teammate tax. They don’t want him swept but then again not like Murray been that great when not guarded by Austin Reaves. https://t.co/LqpMFq4zwu
— Davin McFarland (@DavinMcFarland7) May 7, 2024
Draymond would have been suspended for a week and fined maximum money
— Pam (@lilkasperss) May 7, 2024
Good bc they shouldn’t suspend him for that if they didn’t suspend Russel Westbrook for what he did the other game
— ℬ𝓊𝒾𝓁𝓉𝒹𝒾𝒻𝒻ℯ𝓇ℯ𝓃𝓉 (@pvttvplays) May 7, 2024
