Jamal Murray caused controversy during the Denver Nuggets’ 106-80 Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves by throwing a heating pad onto the floor in the middle of a possession.
Referee Marc Davis stated post-game that Murray should have received a technical foul for the incident, but not have been ejected.
“I was the lead official, and I didn’t notice it was on the floor or where it came from until Towns scored,” Davis explained to a pool reporter. “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.”
Chris Finch condemned Murray’s actions as “dangerous” and “inexcusable,” noting that the Wolves tried to discuss the incident with the officiating crew.
“We tried to impress upon [the referees] there probably aren’t many fans in the building that have a heat pack, so it probably had to come from the bench, which they found logical,” Finch stated. “I’m sure it was a mistake and an oversight and nothing intentional by the officiating at all, but certainly can’t allow that to happen.”
