[ad_1]
With the Denver Nuggets on the verge of elimination in the playoffs, Major League player Nikola Jokic was sent off Sunday night’s game for a flagrant 2 foul after swinging wildly in frustration against Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne.
After a lengthy review, Jokic was delivered the Rocket 2 and kicked out of Game 4 of the semifinal series of the Denver Western Conference with 3:52 remaining in the third quarter and the Nuggets trailing the Suns by eight.
The foul came after Jokic did not receive a call from a one-handed runner, as he briefly glanced at the referee and pointed. In apparent frustration at the lack of contact, he ran to take the ball hard, hitting Payne in the face.
Referee David Guthrie can be heard on the broadcast explaining the decision, saying: “After reviewing the replay, there is a closure, impact, and follow-up.”
Suns star Devin Booker took an instant exception to the play from Jokic, taking on the big guy as the two sparred briefly before breaking up. Booker was evaluated as a technical error.
After he was fired, Jokic appeared to apologize to Payne.
Rocket 2 is defined as “unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent”.
The Suns leads the series 3-0 and has been in complete control since the first match, winning all three matches with double figures.
Jokic left the game, scoring 22 points in a 9-of-17 shot, to go along with 11 rebounds and 4 assists in 28 minutes.
.
[ad_2]
Picture Credit!