Denver Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray was sentenced to a hefty fine instead of a suspension by the NBA on Monday night for throwing a towel and hand warmer at the referee during the team’s Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. fined.
Murray was fined $100,000 for his actions, the league announced in a release from executive vice president and director of basketball operations Joe Dumars.
Murray was seen throwing a towel at the referee, and a Nuggets staff member quickly brushed the towel away before the referee could step on it and potentially injure himself. Murray then threw a hand warmer in the direction of the referee, and his teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope picked it up and threw it to the sideline.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after being called for a foul against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 6, 2024 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
During the two incidents, play continued and there was no whistle from the referee.
After the game, T-Wolves head coach Chris Finch criticized Murray’s actions, calling them “inexcusable” and “dangerous.”
Nuggets’ Michael Malone screams in referee’s face, Jamal Murray throws heat pack as Denver drops Game 2
Mark Davis, the official crew chief for the night, also said he did not see Murray throwing the object in real time, but if he or anyone on his crew witnessed it happening. If so, he said, it would have been a situation that could be considered.
However, Murray should have been given a technical foul instead of being ejected.
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets looks for a foul call against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at Ball Arena on May 6, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. . (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
“If you’re going to get sent off, you have to determine if it was thrown directly at someone or if it was thrown in frustration,” Davis told Pool reporters.
Murray shot badly in a 106-80 home loss to Minnesota. He had eight points on just 3-of-18 shooting, but grabbed 13 rebounds. Murray did not speak to reporters after the game and left the venue immediately.
Murray is typically a sharpshooter who can take on the scoring load when needed for the Nuggets, especially in last year’s postseason. However, he has struggled with his shot, and the calf strain he continues to play with may have something to do with it.
Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets plays against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at Ball Arena on May 6, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Nuggets will be hoping Murray can keep his composure and fire on the field as the series moves to Minnesota, where Denver is two games behind and zero in the best-of-seven series.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
