With a couple of days to cool down following Monday’s incident in Denver, Heat players are hoping to put the skirmish behind them, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was suspended for one game for striking Markieff Morris in the back following a hard foul late in Monday’s contest. Morris was fined $50K for the initial hit, while teammate Jimmy Butler received a $30K fine for “attempting to escalate” the conflict.
Morris suffered whiplash and has been ruled out of tonight’s game against the Lakers, Chiang adds. He was at the team’s shootout this morning, but didn’t participate and left for a doctor’s appointment without speaking to reporters.
“Obviously in a situation like that, alpha males and reactions take over,” said team captain Udonis Haslem. “A couple of days later, we all want what’s best for everybody. I don’t think Jokic is a bad guy. I actually love him as a basketball player and I love him as a person. I think he’s a really good guy. I think emotions just got the best of everybody.”
There’s more on the Heat:
- Max Strus will miss his fifth straight game tonight with a sprained left knee, Chiang adds. Strus was initially listed as probable, but woke up with pain in the knee today following a workout Tuesday. “He had a really good day of work yesterday,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s definitely making progress and I think he needs a little bit more time.”
- Tonight will mark Miami’s first meeting with Kendrick Nunn since he signed with the Lakers in free agency, notes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. The Heat decided to rescind their qualifying offer to Nunn because of luxury tax concerns, but Spoelstra said he enjoyed the two years they spent together. “He surprised everybody in the league,” Spoelstra said. “He really contributed and helped us win at a high level. And he got better as a basketball player. And he developed a relationship with some that I know will continue. I’m a big fan of K-Nunn.”
- The offseason addition of Kyle Lowry is one obvious reason for the Heat‘s 7-3 start, but Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer identifies a few more. One is the resurgence of Tyler Herro, who is back to being the dangerous offensive threat he was after the NBA’s restart in 2020. He’s averaging 20.3 PPG and has become a more efficient scorer in his third season.
Lowry was a great addition. Still surprised his hometown Philadelphia didn’t push harder to get him. Simmons for Lowry is better than any package Toronto got from Miami.
Philly was not dealing Simmons for Lowry.
Toronto was asking for Thybulle, Maxey and 1sts for a guy about to hit free agency.
The thing about whiplash is it can be very hard to prove. That’s why the ambulance chasing type of injury lawyer loves claiming their clients have it. Morris should have been suspended equally with Jokic.
No way Morris has whiplash, because the real deal if you got it, it can change your life, he could be weeks, months or even the rest of the season out, could even come to never ever playing again, it can be one of the most serious injuries ever, so make no mistake Morris ain’t got no whiplash, just a case of the chickens***t!
Gee Thanks Udonis “ think that Jokic is a good guy.” I guess in your mind Morris who along with his brother are the dirtiest players in the NBA are swell. Remember the fit and actually “ crying” when they were broke up in Phoenix? I am a KU guy and they both make me sick.
@Yep
Dirtiest? Grayson Allen and Pat Bev say “hi”. That WAS a cheap shot on Jokic but not every hard foul is dirty. There’s a place for these guys that’s why they are there. And they each, over the course of the last few years, have turned themselves into decent shooters.
Morris is faking. He k ew excatly what he was doing. I agree with Lowry and Herro as the two reasons Heat are playing. Both are playing well. Herro has stepped it up so far. Props to him.
Morris looked to embellish the push but his head did appear to snap pretty hard. Jokic is huge so there was some force behind it.
Morris is a tough dude. I would be surprised if he was milking this. I think there is some type of neck soreness going on.
Morris got decked!
Haslem volunteering his leadership, trying to reverse the character issue back on Jokic, down low between the lines.