Nuggets’ Jamal Murray Avoids Suspension, Fined $100K for Throwing Objects vs. Wolves

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMay 7, 2024

Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray will receive a $100,000 fine (but no suspension) after throwing a heat pack and towel from the bench amid his team’s 106-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

NBA Communications @NBAPRThe following was released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/MlbHrJ3qtQ

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic first reported the news on Murray, noting the player avoided a suspension.

With roughly five minutes remaining in the second quarter, cameras caught Murray, who was on the bench, throwing a towel at the heels of crew chief Marc Davis while he officiated live action. The towel was quickly retrieved before Davis could see (or step) on it.

A few players later, cameras captured the guard throwing a heat pack onto the court with the action at the basket nearest to him:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportJamal Murray threw a heat pack onto the court 😳 pic.twitter.com/Iho8YW8Q0H

Murray did not receive a foul for either action, although that was because Davis was turned toward the court overseeing the game.

“I was the lead official, and I didn’t notice it was on the floor or where it came from until [Karl-Anthony] Towns scored,” Davis said in the pool report regarding the heat pack. “We weren’t aware it had come from the bench. If we would have been aware it came from the bench, we could have reviewed it under the hostile act trigger. The penalty would have been a technical foul.”

It’s been a tough series for Murray, who has averaged just 12.5 points through two games (including only eight on 3-of-18 shooting in Game 2). He left without speaking with reporters.

Denver is now down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, which is shifting to Minneapolis now for Games 3 and 4. Game 3 will go down on Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET.