Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris, bottom, is attended to after being in an altercation with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Denver. Morris walked off the court after being examined and Jokic was ejected. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Markieff Morris on Nikola Jokic Shove: 'I've Never Hit a Man with His Back Turned'

Scott PolacekNov 9, 2021

Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris admitted he committed a hard foul on Nikola Jokic during Monday's game but suggested he would "never hit a man with his back turned" like the Denver Nuggets big man did to him.

Jokic was ejected for blindsiding Morris with a hit late in the fourth quarter of Denver's 113-96 win:

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Morris was also given a flagrant-2 foul and ejected for elbowing Jokic prior to the incident. Heat teammate Jimmy Butler was assessed a technical foul in the aftermath and was not pleased with the reigning MVP for dishing out such a hit.

Jokic posted a triple-double of 25 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.

Denver (6-4) and Miami (7-3) play again Nov. 29 in Florida, and Monday's incident will serve as the backdrop for what could be a physical and contentious rematch.