CHICAGO — Eastern Conference NBA cities get to see Nikola Jokic play basketball in-person once a year. Already this season, two of those cities have been snubbed with less than half a game of the two-time MVP.
Jokic was thrown out after barking at officials for the second time in his first 24 active games of 2023-24 on Monday night at United Center. Unlike Nov. 20 in Detroit, this ejection was abrupt, unexpected and controversial enough to evoke a smattering of boos from the Chicago fans.
But like in Detroit, the Nuggets survived the second half without Jokic for a resilient win on the second leg of a back-to-back. Denver is 5-1 playing on 24 hours of rest this season after a 114-106 win over the Bulls, who were missing Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso.
And like in Detroit, Reggie Jackson played a huge part in lifting the Nuggets’ offense when they needed it. Starting his 14th game this season, Jackson shot 9 for 16 from the field and 5 for 8 from 3-point range to lead Denver with 25 points. Aaron Gordon amassed 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists, drilling a step-back 3 to give the Nuggets a 13-point lead with three minutes left. Christian Braun and Julian Strawther were in double figures off the bench. Michael Porter Jr. became the fastest player in franchise history to 500 career 3-pointers in a 17-point night.
With the Nuggets leading 54-47 late in the first half, Jokic took exception with a no-call after he missed a shot in the post over Nikola Vucevic. As play continued, Jokic turned around while getting back on defense to say something to Mousa Dagher, the baseline official who hadn’t called a foul. Dagher waited for a dead ball, which occurred when DeMar DeRozan drew a shooting foul with 1:08 left in the half, then called one technical foul on Jokic and ejected him from the game. Jokic and the Nuggets coaching staff were visibly confused and startled.
The center finished with four points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Nikola Jokic has been ejected, and fans at the United Center who paid to see him are NOT happy 😳 pic.twitter.com/XXxLrzUa0f
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) December 13, 2023
Denver went into the break leading 57-50 and moved Gordon to “starting” center for the second half, while DeAndre Jordan continued to play backup five. Gordon also played the Jokic role after the superstar’s ejection in Detroit.
But Jokic wasn’t the only starter Denver needed to survive without. Jamal Murray was ruled out an hour before tip due to bilateral ankle sprains. The point guard injured his left ankle Monday night in Atlanta but quickly returned to that game without needing to go to the locker room for any evaluation. He has dealt with separate right hamstring, right ankle and left ankle injuries in the first two months of this season. However, he went through his regular pregame shooting routine in Chicago and appeared sturdy on both legs.
Then in the first quarter, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was on the receiving end of incidental contact to his face, prompting Michael Malone to call a timeout while Caldwell-Pope walked to the locker room. He returned to the floor early in the second quarter but was also ruled out at halftime with a head contusion, a team spokesperson said.
