Nikola Jokic and Mike Malone get ejected vs Pistons / News - Basketnews.com

Malone got ejected in the first quarter, while Jokic was tossed in the second. Both were complaining about non-calls. Malone said they were cursing in Serbian while watching the game in the locker room.

Credit: AP Photo/Carlos Osorio - Scanpix Credit AP Photo/Carlos Osorio - Scanpix

The Denver Nuggets had to deal with a unique situation against the Detroit Pistons - they played most of the game both without their head coach and their biggest star.

Player of the Game EFF 23 Reggie Jackson Points 21 Accuracy 9-15 Rebounds 3 Assists 6

Head coach Mike Malone and superstar big man Nikola Jokic were both ejected during the first half after picking up two technical fouls each.

Malone got ejected after furiously arguing during the end of the first quarter. Jokic, meanwhile, got tossed after complaining about a non-call toward the end of the second quarter.

The Nuggets ended up beating the Pistons 107-103 despite Jokic playing just 15 minutes (9 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST). Talking with the media after the game, coach Malone said that watching the game from the locker room was tough.

"During the game, you see things. When you're watching on TV, you see everything. It's hard to watch, I'll just leave it at that. It's hard to watch, but it's great to watch a win. When you make a good play, we're pumping our fists, we're excited, we're hugging. When you don't make a good play, I'm cursing in Serbian," Malone said.

"I do," he said when asked whether he knows Serbian curse words. "I've been with him 9 years."

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