DETROIT (AP) — Nikola Jokic and Nuggets coach Mike Malone were ejected in the first half of Denver’s 107-103 win at Detroit on Monday night.
Jokic received his first technical for arguing a call in the first quarter. Malone was ejected for going onto the court to dispute a call late in the period. Jokic was tossed after arguing another call with 1:22 left in the first half.
“I think Nikola was worried about my welfare,” Malone joked. “It is tough to watch a game on TV — we were hugging on good plays and I was cursing in Serbian on the bad ones.”
Jokic had nine points, five rebounds and five assists in 15:13 minutes before being tossed.
The Nuggets (10-4), who have been without the injured Jamal Murray, halted a two-game slide. The Pistons (2-12) exited the game with their 12th consecutive loss.