Nikola Jokić Ejected for Dirty Hit on Heat Forward Markieff Morris

Nikola Jokić could face a suspension for a dirty hit on Heat forward Markieff Morris.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokić was ejected from Denver's win over the Heat on Monday night after he shoved Miami forward Markieff Morris in the fourth quarter.

Jokić was bumped by Morris with more than two minutes left in regulation as Denver held a 111–94 lead. But rather than ignore the contact, Jokić quickly retaliated, giving Morris a hard shove to the floor. A stretcher was initially taken out, but Morris did walk off with the help of Miami medical staff. 

Jokic lays out Markieff Morris from behind 😮

(via @BallySportsFL)pic.twitter.com/qclzVQVwO2

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 9, 2021

Markieff was able to walk off the floor pic.twitter.com/O7JaqIEWPU

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 9, 2021

Both Jokić and Morris were ejected from Monday's contest. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra addressed the incident postgame, calling Jokić's shove a "dangerous, dirty play."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says that Markieff Morris is moving around in the locker room but the team will do “necessary tests.”

He added that Morris fouled Jokic but said Jokic executed a “dangerous, dirty play… It’s absolutely uncalled for.”

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) November 9, 2021

Jokić has not been suspended nor fined as of Monday evening. The Nuggets advanced to 6–4 in 2021–22 with Monday's win.