ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler was not pleased with Jamal Murray throwing a heat pack onto the court during the Nuggets’ Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Legler believes Murray should be suspended for his actions.
“He’s 100% getting suspended. He was 3-18, I’m not shocked he missed Marc Davis with that heat pack.”
Tim Legler on Jamal Murray throwing a heat pack toward official Marc Davis on Monday night: "He was 3-for-18. I'm not shocked he missed Marc Davis with that heat pack." pic.twitter.com/mMawnqvSTV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 7, 2024
Despite Legler’s confidence that Murray will be missing Game 2 via suspension, the NBA has announced a $100,000 fine for the Nuggets guard. It doesn’t look like the situation will escalate into a suspension, so he should be available for Game 3 against the Timberwolves on the road.
Jamal Murray threw a heat pack onto the court 😳 https://t.co/Iho8YW8Q0H
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 7, 2024
Murray had some incredible fourth-quarter performances in their first-round win over the Lakers, hitting two game-winners while averaging 8.6 points in the fourth quarter alone. He’s averaging 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on 28.1% shooting through the first two games of the second round, completely flummoxed by the Wolves defense.
He ended Game 2 with eight points, shooting 3-18 from the floor in one of his worst career postseason performances. The Nuggets put up just 80 points as a team in the loss, the lowest total of any team in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Chris Finch Called Jamal Murray’s Actions Inexcusable
The full story behind why Murray thought it was a good idea to throw a heat pack towards a referee is unclear. If it made contact with Davis, Murray would definitely be suspended for a game or two. The pack fell into Kyle Anderson’s path as he was going up for a layup, so if the Wolves forward tripped on the pack and injured himself, the consequences would have been severe.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was not happy with how the situation played out but sympathized with the referees for not calling a technical foul at the moment because their backs were turned to Murray, who threw the pack onto the court from the bench.
“I didn’t see it happen… The referees didn’t see it either, so they’re unable to issue a technical unless they see it… It’s inexcusable and dangerous. I’m sure it was a mistake and an oversight, nothing intentional by the officiating, but certainly can’t allow that to happen.”
The decision to not suspend Murray is puzzling, as he not only threw a heat pack onto a court in a live-ball situation, but he also made the money gesture at the referees during the game. Given the wrath the NBA brought upon Rudy Gobert for doing that earlier this season, it’s surprising to see Murray make two massive mistakes and walk away with a $100,000 fine.
In the NBA’s defense, nobody wants to see a series lose all its competitive intrigue because of a suspension. The Nuggets wouldn’t stand a chance at winning Game 3 and keeping the series alive without Murray, as the team looks dominant when he’s firing and much worse when he’s struggling himself.
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