Nikola Jokic found himself ejected from the Denver Nuggets’ game against the Chicago Bulls just before halftime, a decision that left both fans and the player himself perplexed. The incident occurred on Serbian Heritage Night in Chicago, making it particularly disappointing for many Serbian fans who attended the game hoping to see Jokic in action. The Serbian player’s early exit drew boos from the crowd, further intensifying the controversy.
In the aftermath of the game, Jokic shared his thoughts on the ejection, expressing confusion about the incident. Although not harboring bitterness, he maintained that his actions did not merit expulsion and hinted at the subjectivity surrounding officiating decisions.
Nikola Jokic is immediately ejected from the Bulls-Nuggets for arguing a no-call and even Bulls announcers Adam Amin and Stacey King are in disbelief.
"The people didn't come to see the officials, let's be honest, they came to see the players."
It's Serbian Heritage Night in… pic.twitter.com/w8ejIp4AMX
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 13, 2023
“I do not know [what happened there]. It is what it is. I am just happy that we did not play in Serbia this game; it was going to be really fun [to see] how we ended. It was interesting,” Jokic remarked, adding, “Some guys can say whatever. I think sometimes what I say is not even a technical (foul), so it is what it is.”
Jokic acknowledged crossing a line with his actions but refrained from delving into specifics to avoid potential fines. His cautious response reflected a desire to protect his financial interests, alluding to the sensitivity of discussing certain incidents that could lead to penalties.
“It is what it is … some guys can say whatever.” – Jokić#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/SIdcP880Rr
— AltitudeTV (@AltitudeTV) December 13, 2023
While Jokic has faced ejections before, this particular incident stands out as one of the more peculiar ones. The confusion persisted as crew chief Mark Lindsay provided a simple explanation for the ejection, citing profane language directed at an official as the reason.
“To be clear, Jokic was ejected after one technical foul because he directed profane language at the official that by our standards warranted an ejection,” Lindsay clarified.
The decision to eject Jokic after a single technical foul diverged from the usual protocol where a technical foul serves as a warning. Jokic’s case involved a volatile interaction with a referee, leading to his unexpected removal from the game.
Despite the controversy, the Nuggets secured a victory against the Bulls. Head coach Mike Malone, in a lighthearted manner, expressed his surprise at the ejection and humorously commented on the perceived severity of Jokic’s language.
Here’s the pool report on Nikola Jokic’s ejection. He was ejected for “profane language,” according to crew chief Mark Lindsay. pic.twitter.com/AajewopSnQ
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) December 13, 2023
“He just felt the language that was used warranted an ejection. A one-tech ejection, which I was very shocked at. And when I heard what he said, I said, ‘I don’t understand the problem because when I grew up, that was a term of endearment,’” Malone quipped during his postgame press conference.
Mike Malone on Jokic’s ejection:
“He just felt the language that was used warranted an ejection. A one-tech ejection l, which I was very shocked at. And when I heard what he said, I said ‘I don’t understand the problem because when I grew up that was a term of endearment.” pic.twitter.com/0k9M1wLKY7
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) December 13, 2023
As the fallout from Jokic’s ejection continues, there is potential for the league to reassess the technical foul or offer clarification on the incident.
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