Marcus Morris Sr. Responds to Nikola Jokic Shoving Brother Markieff: 'NOTED'
November 9, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. took note of how the Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic went after his twin brother, Markieff Morris of the Miami Heat, during Monday night's game.
After Morris' tweet, Jokic's two brothers responded, saying they'd be "waiting" for Marcus Morris if he wanted "to make a step further."
A few hours later, Marcus Morris responded:
Markieff Morris started the sequence with a hard foul Jokic to stop a fast break by the Nuggets late in the fourth quarter of an eventual 113-96 win by Denver, and the reigning NBA MVP responded by delivering a shoulder barge into the back of Morris after he'd turned around to walk away.
The Heat forward laid on the court for a while, but he was eventually able to leave under his own power. Head coach Erik Spoelstra, who called it a "very dangerous and dirty play," said Morris was moving around well in the locker room after the contest.
"This whole thing could have been a whole lot uglier if Markieff was actually facing Jokic," Spoelstra told reporters. "The fact that he had his back turned and he made a play like that, blindsiding him, just a very dangerous play."
Jokic sounded a remorseful tone after getting a chance to watch the replay of his hit on Morris.
"It's a stupid play," Jokic said. "I feel bad. I am not supposed to react that way. ... I thought it was going to be a take foul. ... I think it was a dirty play. And I just needed to protect myself. I felt bad. I am not supposed to react that way, but I need to protect myself."
He added: "I don't know who showed me the clip, and actually his head snapped back [after the shove], so I feel really bad. ... It's a bad move."
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said he'll wait to hear from the league office to see whether Jokic, who was ejected from the game, faces any additional punishment.
"I will concern myself when they tell us he's suspended," Malone said. "I am not going to waste any of my time looking into my crystal ball and my tea leaves. I don't have any of that. He's available until they tell me he's not. And I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be available Wednesday night."
Denver's next game is Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers. It faces the Heat again Nov. 29 in Miami and takes on the Clippers and the other Morris twin for the first time this season Dec. 26 in L.A.
Meanwhile, Miami continues its five-game road trip Wednesday night when it visits the Los Angeles Lakers.