Ex-Champ’s Verdict on Jamal Murray’s Tantrums Grows Likelier as NBA Penalty Threat Impedes Nuggets’ Comeback

The Denver Nuggets lost 20-106 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of Round 2 last night and Jamal Murray did not take it well. The frustrated Nuggets’ Point Guard threw a heating pad onto the court in the 2nd quarter. He got away with it without a foul. This turn of events sent everyone into a frenzy including Kendrick Perkins.

Prior to the incident, Murray had also chucked a towel at a referee earlier in the game. The instances invited increased discussions about the measures that must be taken in response to Murray’s behavior. Here’s what analysts had to say.

Possible eviction for Jamal Murray?

The incident happened during a pivotal moment for the Wolves, when their player Karl-Anthony Towns brought the team up to 49-30. Nuggets’ Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope picked up the pad and threw it to the sidelines. The play then continued without a whistle from the referees. What is the verdict on Murray? Former NBA Star Kendrick Perkins.

“It’s going to be interesting how the Nuggets are going to look in Game 3 without Murray… because he’s most likely getting suspended for throwing that Heat Pack,” he tweeted. It is unclear whether he will be suspended or not.

Crew chief Marc Davis told a reporter.“I was the lead official, and I didn’t notice it was on the floor or where it came from until Towns scored. We weren’t aware it had come from the bench. If we were, we could have reviewed it under the hostile act trigger. The penalty would have been a technical foul.” When asked about a possible ejection for Murray, he said, “For an ejection, you would have to determine it was thrown directly at somebody versus thrown in frustration.” We are yet to know how the decision will be made but a lot of NBA analysts have shared their thoughts.

Here’s what the experts think

On ESPN’s ‘Get Up’, veteran analyst Brian Windhorst said that he would not be shocked if he doesn’t get suspended. “I am interested to see what’s gonna happen, I genuinely do not know what’s gonna happen because of the lack of a precedent.” Former NBA Star Tim Legler said, “If you don’t suspend him for this, this is the precedent you’re setting going forward. This goes above and beyond anything any player could ever consider.” Murray’s actions have dumbfounded everyone.

Analyst Shams Charania seems to think that this act is a display of the players’ and coaching staffs” frustration. “This is something the league will have to look at,” said Charania. Murray is not the only Nuggets’ member that had an outburst. Head Coach Mike Malone shouted at a referee. It got so heated that the players had to intervene.

Jamal Murray finished the game with 8 points on 3-for-18 shooting, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 turnovers. He left the arena without speaking to reporters. The Wolves are crushing the Nuggets so far. Minnesota won both games in Round 2. If Murray gets suspended as predicted, Denver’s playoff fight will become even more challenging. For now, the decision on Murray remains unclear. The teams meet next on Friday, May 10, 9:30 pm EST for Game 3. Until then, the Nuggets await their verdict.