Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray avoided a suspension but faces a $100,000 fine for throwing multiple items onto the court during a Game 2 playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA announced Tuesday.
During the game Monday in Denver, Murray threw a heating pack and a towel toward the court while sitting on the bench. The heating pack skittered under players’ feet during live action. The towel didn’t make it to the court.
NBA Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars said in a statement that the items were thrown “in the direction of a game official.”
“It’s inexcusable and dangerous,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said after the game, which his team won 106-80 for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. “Certainly can’t allow that to happen.”
Referees told reporters they didn’t know who threw the items during the game and couldn’t address it in the moment.
“We weren’t aware it had come from the bench,” crew chief Mark Davis said. “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.”
Davis said the Canadian guard could have been ejected if officials determined he was targeting somebody on the court with the throws.
Murray finished with eight points in the Nuggets’ loss. Game 3 will be played Friday night in Minnesota.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.