Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray should have been assessed a technical foul, but not ejected, for tossing a heating pad onto the court during Monday’s 106-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to NBA crew chief Marc Davis.
The incident occurred in the second quarter when Murray, seated on the bench, threw the pad onto the floor as Karl-Anthony Towns scored to put the Timberwolves up 49-30. The referees did not stop play or issue a technical foul, and the game continued without interruption.
Davis acknowledged that if the officials had been aware the pad came from the bench, they could have reviewed the incident and assessed a technical foul.
“We weren’t aware it came from the bench,” Davis explained. “If we would have been aware it came from the bench, we could have reviewed it under the hostile act trigger. The penalty would have been a technical foul.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch described Murray’s action as “dangerous” and “inexcusable” and said the team attempted to bring it to the attention of the officiating crew.
“We tried to impress upon [the referees] there probably aren’t many fans in the building that have a heat pack, so it probably had to come from the bench, which they found logical,” Finch said.
Davis clarified that Murray’s action did not warrant an ejection because it was not directed at anyone specific.
“For an ejection, you would have to determine it was thrown directly at somebody versus thrown in frustration,” Davis said.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Murray finished the game with eight points, 13 rebounds, two assists, and four turnovers and exited the arena without speaking to reporters. Denver coach Michael Malone was unaware of the incident and said he would address it with his team.
The NBA is reviewing the incident, and if Murray does receive a suspension, it would be a daunting task to overcome his absence, facing a 2-0 series deficit on the road in Game 3.
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