NBA official details Nikola Jokic's ejection from Nuggets-Bulls game / News - Basketnews.com

NBA referee Mark Lindsay explained why Nikola Jokic was ejected: "The language reached the standard for an ejection."

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic was ejected from Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Bulls, a 114-106 win for Denver.

Player of the Game EFF 20 Reggie Jackson Points 25 Accuracy 9-16 Rebounds 2 Assists 6

The incident unfolded at the end of the second quarter when Jokic, expressing frustration and seeking a foul call, directed profane language at the baseline official, Mousa Dagher, while jogging back on defense.

Witnesses reported that Jokic shouted, "Call the foul, motherf---er."

The NBA released a Pool Report on the ejection, featuring an interview conducted by K.C. Johnson (NBC Sports Chicago) with Crew Chief Mark Lindsay.

Johnson asked Lindsay about the reason for Jokic's ejection and whether it was typical for an ejection to follow one technical foul.

"To be clear, Jokic was ejected after one technical foul because he directed profane language at the official that, by our standards, warranted an ejection," the referee said.

When questioned about a warning between the first technical foul and the ejection, Lindsay again emphasized, "To be clear, Jokic was ejected after one technical foul."

Regarding the strong language leading to the ejection, Lindsay stated, "We don't typically publicly get into exactly what a player said, but the language reached the standard for an ejection."

The incident drew boos from the Chicago crowd.

Post-game, Jokic acknowledged that his language "crossed a line" and expressed surprise at the swift ejection. He remarked that he was glad the game wasn't played in Serbia.

"I do not know [what happened there]. It is what it is. I am just happy that we did not play in Serbia this game. It could have been really funny to see how it would be handled. It was interesting," Jokic said on his ejection.

"Some guys can say whatever. I think sometimes what I say is not even a technical foul. It is what it is," he continued.

"No, I crossed the line, but sometimes that word does not cross the line. I like my money, so I am not gonna say... whatever."

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