Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has been fined $100,000 for tossing objects on the court during the team’s Game 2

Nuggets guard Jamal Murray’s actions during the recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves have sparked quite a stir in the basketball community. Murray was fined $100,000 but managed to avoid a suspension after throwing a towel and a heating pad in the direction of an official during Denver’s 106-80 Game 2 loss. The incident occurred during live play with 4:41 remaining in the second quarter, while the Timberwolves were leading 49-30.

The NBA announced the hefty fine on Tuesday through a release from Joe Dumars, the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations. Although Murray’s actions received widespread attention and criticism, the league did not impose a suspension. This decision drew strong reactions from both fans and fellow players.

Chris Finch, the coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, described Murray’s behavior as “dangerous” and “inexcusable,” expressing concerns about the safety of the officials. He mentioned that the Wolves attempted to reason with the officiating crew regarding the incident, indicating that they considered it a serious matter that required attention and potential consequences.

Despite the magnitude of Murray’s actions, crew chief Marc Davis admitted that he didn’t notice the toss at the time. However, he acknowledged that if he had, the incident could’ve been reviewed under the hostile act trigger. Davis explained that while a technical foul may have been warranted, an ejection would have only been necessary if it was determined that the object was thrown directly at somebody, rather than just in frustration.

Following the game, Murray, who struggled with his performance and finished with 8 points on 3-for-18 shooting, left the arena without addressing the media. It’s clear that Murray’s struggles in the postseason, exacerbated by a calf strain, have contributed to his frustration and on-court demeanor. He’s shooting just 37.5% from the field through seven playoff games, illustrating the challenging circumstances he currently faces.

As the series moves back to Minnesota with the Timberwolves leading 2-0 against the defending champions, the aftermath of Murray’s actions and his personal performance are likely to remain prominent storylines as the playoffs progress.