Nikola Jokic reacts to his ejection: 'I'm happy we didn't play this game in Serbia' / News - Basketnews.com

Nikola Jokic on his "call the foul, motherf---er" remark in the game against the Chicago Bulls: "I crossed the line, but sometimes that word does not cross the line."

Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con - Scanpix

Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was ejected from Denver's 114-106 win over Chicago on Tuesday night as the Bulls were hosting a Serbian Heritage Night.

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

The incident occurred after Jokic missed a shot at the rim in the second quarter.

Expressing frustration and seeking a foul call, he yelled towards the baseline official, Mousa Dagher, while jogging back on defense. This led to a technical foul and an immediate ejection, prompting boos from the Chicago crowd.

Jokic's outburst included profanity, with him shouting, "Call the foul, motherf---er," as reported by witnesses to ESPN along the baseline.

"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," crew chief Mark Lindsay told a pool reporter after Tuesday's game.

Acknowledging that his language had "crossed a line," Jokic expressed surprise at the swift ejection, remarking that he was glad the game wasn't played in a hot and hostile atmosphere 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."

"The official felt the language that was used warranted an ejection," coach Michael Malone added. "I told him, 'I don't understand the problem.' Where I grew up, that was a term of endearment in my house."

Nikola Jokic

Team:Denver NuggetsPosition:C, PFAge:28Height:208 cmWeight:111 kgBirth place:Sombor, SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

Jokic only saw 16 minutes of action, finishing with 4 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Nikola had been ejected earlier in the season and also sat out a match due to injury. However, the Nuggets have secured victories in the three games without Jokic, maintaining an undefeated record of 3-0.

"I'm starting to think he's overrated," Malone said jokingly.

Teammates joined in on the humor, suggesting that Jokic should get ejected more frequently.

"We just want Jokic to get ejected as quick as he can," Aaron Gordon amusingly conveyed.

However, Malone cautioned against Jokic developing a habit of clashing with officials.

"Maybe I have to do a better job because if he's getting fouled or he thinks he's getting fouled, let me take the tech," Malone said. "That's my job as a head coach because I don't want him being put in that position where he is getting thrown out because it's not good for him and, more importantly, it's not good for the team.

"We can talk all along about how great our bench was tonight, but in the big picture, we need Nikola available. He knows that, and we just have to work on how we engage and how we communicate with the referees and handle that frustration."

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