Jamal Murray facing backlash for 'dangerous' antics
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray.
Jamal Murray let his emotions get the best of him Monday as his Nuggets got pummeled by the Timberwolves on their own floor.
With 4:45 left in the second quarter, Murray was on the bench watching his teammates struggle to score against Minnesota’s stifling defense. Just as Karl-Anthony Towns made a bucket to give Minnesota a 37-20 lead, Murray stood up from his seat and threw a heat pack onto the court.
As seen from another angle, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had the wherewithal to throw the heat pack out of the court to ensure none of the players landed on it. On commentary, TNT’s Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller acknowledged that Murray’s antics were “dangerous” and could have caused catastrophic injury.
It was noted by a user on X that Murray also threw a towel a few possessions earlier.
Understandably, Murray is facing severe backlash from his peers and fans for his unsportsmanlike acts. While Kendrick Perkins expects the star guard to get suspended for Game 3, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch had a strong response in his postgame news conference.
“It’s inexcusable and dangerous,” Finch told reporters. “I’m sure it was a mistake and an oversight and nothing intentional by the officiating, but certainly can’t allow that to happen.”
Meanwhile, crew chief Marc Davis told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that Murray wasn’t handed a technical foul since the officials didn’t know the heat pack came from the bench.
Murray didn’t address the incident as he refused to speak to the media after the loss.
The Nuggets guard, braving a calf strain, has had a torrid time against the Timberwolves through the first two games. After going 6-of-14 from the floor in Game 1, Murray followed it up with a 3-of-18 night on Monday. Denver needs its second-best player to raise his game to stay afloat in the series.
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