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Usually, if an NBA head coach runs onto the court to scream at an official, he’ll be ejected. At the very least, the ref will call a technical foul.
Somehow, Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone avoided either punishment when he crossed almost the entire playing surface during a break in the action to berate veteran official Marc Davis.
Malone was unhappy with what he felt was a lack of fouls called against the Minnesota Timberwolves on back-to-back possessions, and he certainly made sure Davis was aware of how he felt.
Should have Michael Malone get ejected for this? pic.twitter.com/nnowgv5AWm
— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) May 7, 2024
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Observers were shocked that Malone was not only allowed to continue coaching, but didn’t even receive a technical foul for his outburst.
“Michael Malone is HEATED during this break in action, crossing the court to get into it with the referee, presumably over the offensive foul on Karl-Anthony Towns that wasn’t called the last possession when he collided with Jamal Murray. Surprisingly, no tech on Malone,” said ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“Charging a ref + screaming in his face = No Tech. Staring at a player = Tech Get this [expletive] fixed @NBAOfficial,” said an angry Timberwolves fan.
“No tech on Malone after this is insane but players get techs for looking at a player following a dunk lmao,” another commenter said.
“I’ve seen head coaches get thrown out for less. Why is Mike Malone not ejected?” one person wondered.
“How is Malone not ejected there?” a fifth person chimed in.
Malone and the Nuggets lost Game 1 at home on Saturday night, and they currently find themselves down 19 points to Minnesota early in the second quarter.
Denver will need to turn things around in order to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole going into Game 3 on the road.