Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has avoided a suspension, but he has been fined $100,000 for his actions in the team's 26-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 on Monday night, the league announced on Tuesday evening.
Murray was one of many who were extremely frustrated during the Nuggets' loss in Game 2 to the Timberwolves. Throughout the first half of this game, Denver could not find their rhythm whatsoever, and they felt like they were not getting a fair whistle from the officials. As a result of their deficit growing and frustrations mounting, Murray let his emotions get the best of him when he threw a heat pack onto the court in the middle of a play.
Somehow, the referees did not see Murray throw the object onto the court, as he would've received a technical foul or been ejected from the game for doing so. Roughly 15 seconds before throwing the heat pack onto the court, Murray tossed a towel behind crew chief Marc Davis. The Nuggets' ball boy quickly ran out onto the court to pick it up before Davis or anyone else could slip on it. Luckily, nobody was hurt in either instance.
After the game, Timberwolves' head coach Chris Finch spoke about Murray's actions, making the case that it was dangerous and irresponsible.
“I didn't actually see it happen, but when it was explained to me; the referees didn't see it either, so they're not able to issue technical unless they see it. There probably aren't many fans in the building who have a heat pack, so it probably had to come from the bench,” Finch told reporters on Monday night. “But yeah, it's inexcusable and dangerous. I'm sure it was just mistake and an oversight. I'm sure there was nothing intentional by the officiating at all, but you certainly can't allow that to happen.”
Officials also pointed out that they did not see the action occur. Davis stated in the postgame pool report that if they were made aware of what happened at that moment, then a technical foul would have been issued.
Murray, whom many on social media were calling to be suspended after putting various players in harm's way with his foolish act, will be available to play in what has become a must-win Game 3 for the Nuggets in Minneapolis.
Jamal Murray, Nuggets face 0-2 deficit vs. Timberwolves
The Nuggets are in trouble heading into Game 3 on Friday night. Although they have plenty of time to turn things around in between games, the confidence of the defending NBA champions looks thin. The Timberwolves have subdued Nikola Jokic, for the most part, through two games, and Murray hasn't really been a factor.
After scoring 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting in Game 1, Jamal Murray had his worst playoff performance of the season with eight points on 3-of-18 shooting in Game 2. It is clear to see why he and the Nuggets are so frustrated.
So far, the story of this series has been Minnesota's stifling defensive effort. The Nuggets have turned the ball over a total of 31 times, leading to 27 points for the Timberwolves through two games. In addition to their turnovers, Denver has been cold from the perimeter, shooting only 22-of-61 (36.1 percent) from distance. On top of all of their offensive struggles, the Nuggets have had no answer for Anthony Edwards' brilliance as the lead playmaker and puppetmaster of this series.
With the Michael Jordan comparisons pouring in, Edwards has continued to dominate the defending champs as a scorer, rebounder, passer, and on-ball defender. There is nothing the 22-year-old can't do on the court, and he has been a complete mismatch for every player that has guarded him in the series to this point.
The Nuggets now hit the road to take on the Timberwolves in a building that houses one of the best home-court advantages in the entire league. Minnesota posted a 30-11 home record during the regular season, and Denver has just one victory over their last six tries in Target Center.
It is not easy to come back down 0-2 in a playoff series. It is practically impossible to come back from a 0-3 deficit, as no team in league history has ever done so. The Nuggets face a must-win scenario in Game 3 on the road. Otherwise, they may shockingly see their season come to an end in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Timberwolves.
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