The Denver Nuggets vs Detroit Pistons match was packed with drama and chaos in the first half itself. Recently a lot of players as well as coaches have been annoyed with the officiating done in the NBA which led to their respective teams losing. In this match, it was somewhat of a similar situation, involving Nikola Jokic and Coach Michael Malone.
Both center Nikola Jokić and head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets were ejected during the Nuggets’ contest against the Detroit Pistons on the 21st of November. Jokić finished with nine points, five rebounds, and five assists (StatMuse) in 15:13 of play, he tallies his ejection to 8th of his career now.
Nikola Jokic picked up his second technical foul and was ejected right before halftime of Nuggets-Pistons 😬
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was ejected after picking up two techs earlier in the half.pic.twitter.com/gZ4gH2K3JL
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 21, 2023
With 1:21 left in the first quarter, Coach Malone was called for two technical fouls. According to various reports, it was a result of their annoyance with the officials’ calls. It was quite a chaotic moment for the Nuggets as well as their fans.
Jokić met Malone in the dressing room over almost a completion of a quarter. It irked the two-time MVP that he was not getting many calls. After a no-call, Jokić complained and was sent to an early shower by the officials with 1:22 remaining of the first half and Denver ahead 51–50.
Michael Malone and Nikola Jokic expressed annoyance with the officiating against them
In a chaotic first half between the Nuggets and Pistons, Nuggets’ Head Coach Michael Malone and star center, two-time MVP Nikola Jokic were ejected in the first half. Both of them received two technical fouls and were sent back to the dressing rooms earlier than they would have expected.
Nikola Jokic was ejected from the #Nuggets vs #Pistons game, following Coach Mike Malone, who was also ejected. pic.twitter.com/NnoJwzm3En
— Bobblehead Sports (@Bobbleheadsprtz) November 21, 2023
Coach Malone as well as Jokic was left fuming and annoyed by the referee’s decisions in the game. At different times throughout the first half, both of them received two technical fouls for protesting to the officials about the lack of foul calls.
The Denver Nuggets hand Pistons their 12th consecutive loss
Although with the drama that took place in the first half of the match between the Nuggets and Pistons, the result did not change for the Nuggets. They managed to see out the Pistons with a thrilling game of 103-107 in the NBA and handed them their 12th consecutive loss this season.
KCP and Reggie Jackson in tonight’s win vs the Pistons:
KCP JACKSON
20 PTS 21 PTS
3 REB 3 REB
3 AST 6 AST
2 STL 1 STL
2 BLK 1 BLK
8/17 FG 9/15 FG
2/5 3PT 1/3 3PTFormer pistons balled tonight. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/DZBvKCYgOV
— NuggetsMuse (@NuggetsMuse_) November 21, 2023
Without Jokić, the leaders were Reggie Jackson (21 points) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (20 points) who saw out the match against the Pistons. Also, they had to play without their coach on the sidelines due to him being ejected too. Malone said he “apologized to my players at halftime. You never want to leave them out there.”
As of 21st November, Denver had suffered three straight losses and was playing without their star guard Jamal Murray due to a strained hamstring. With a 12-game losing streak, the Pistons have the poorest record in the NBA. It remains to be seen what happens next for both the teams in the league.