Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic was ejected for screaming at the ref after disagreeing with a jump ball call during Serbia's FIBA World Cup matchup against Spain on Sunday:
After disagreeing with a jump ball call, Nikola Jokic screamed at the ref and was ejected from Serbia's game against Spain. pic.twitter.com/G3XDcr7ogE
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 8, 2019
Jokic was initially assessed a technical for showing excessive body language and stepping to the referee following the call, but was promptly ejected after uttering some of the magic words.
The 24-year-old has never been afraid to express his emotions or mix it up with opponents on the court. Jokic was ejected three times last season. He has also been tossed on multiple occasions by NBA referee Tony Brothers, including during a tilt with the Indiana Pacers on March 16 of this year.
The Serbians were seen as serious contenders heading into the World Cup, and Serbian head coach Aleksandar Djordjevic made it known that Team USA should fear his squad should the two sides meet.
Indeed, Serbia dominated during the first round, winning all three games to the tune of a plus-120 point differential. However, Spain now leads Group J after handing the Serbs their first loss of the tournament.
Jokic is the standout for the Serbian team, though he has merely put together modest averages of 12.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists through the first five games.
The Serbians will look to get back on track when they square off against Argentina on Tuesday, and Jokic will have to stay on the floor in order to give his team every chance to win.
Jokic is also preparing for his fifth year in the NBA as a member of the Denver Nuggets after being named to the All-NBA First Team this past season.
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