[Saba Sports News] Nikola Jokic and Michael Malone didn’t make it through much of their Denver Nuggets’ game against the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. Malone was first to exit after receiving two technical fouls with just 1:21 remaining in the game. Following in the next quarter, Jokic also earned his second technical foul, leading to his ejection.
The ejection sequence for Malone happened quickly. He had just been issued his first technical foul and, showing visible frustration, walked towards official Curtis Blair. Blair responded by issuing a second technical, resulting in Malone’s ejection from the game.
Malone had been displeased with the officiating from the beginning, especially after Jokic was penalized with a lane violation and a technical foul early in the game. Jokic’s second technical came towards the end of the second quarter, as he protested a missed foul call during play.
Both Malone and Jokic were visibly frustrated with the officiating, feeling that the calls were not in their favor, which led to their technical fouls and subsequent ejections. The Nuggets, who entered the game with a 9-4 record for the season and facing two consecutive losses, had to continue their game against Detroit without their coach and star player.