Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone was ejected during the second quarter of the their game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night.
The Nuggets still managed to win the game, 106-96, without their play-caller, and it appears that superstar and MVP hopeful Nikola Jokic also has his coach's back when it comes to the fine that Malone is expected to receive from the league office for his outburst. Or so that's what Malone claims.
There was approximately a 2% chance Nikola Jokic offered to pay Michael Malone’s fine before Malone threw him all the way under the bus. pic.twitter.com/xZjcz8y6Rj
— Mike Singer (@msinger) April 8, 2021
It's not uncommon for franchise players to pay for fines incurred by their teammates and coaches, but the tone in Malone's voice when he said that the Joker offered to pay for his fine suggests that Jokic wasn't fully in on the joke.
Then again, Big Honey, as Jokic is affectionately called by his teammates, is regarded as one of the good guys in the league and an A1 teammate. Even if Malone's story that Jokic offered to open his wallet for his fine was pure fabrication, don't be surprised if the Joker does end up having his coach's back when the memo from the league office comes.
Jokic made sure that his coach's fiery outburst didn't go to waste, leading the Nuggets to its seventh-straight win, the last two of which coming without star guard Jamal Murray. The MVP front-runner picked the Spurs defense apart, finishing the game with 25 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists, and if his coach has his way, a slightly lighter wallet.
All in a day's work for the Nuggets big man.
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