Favors, Plumlee tossed after Nuggets-Jazz scuffle
Derrick Favors and Mason Plumlee are ejected after sparking an altercation on the court following a foul on the floor. (1:52)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Jazz power forward Derrick Favors and Denver Nuggets backup center Mason Plumlee were ejected after a physical confrontation during the first quarter Wednesday night that could potentially lead to a one-game suspension for some Denver starters, including star Nikola Jokic.
The NBA could determine that Jokic, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray violated the rule forbidding players not participating in the game from leaving the bench area during an altercation.
Jokic got off the Nuggets’ bench and took several steps down the baseline toward the scrum. He did not step on the court or confront anyone before being pulled back by a Nuggets staffer.
Harris and Murray also took steps down the baseline but did not go as far as Jokic.
The fracas occurred when Favors and Plumlee got tangled up under the basket with 2 minutes, 46 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Favors hooked the arm of Plumlee, and they exchanged hard shoves after getting in each other’s faces. Several other players helped separate the two before any punches were thrown.
Favors and Plumlee were both ejected despite being called for only one technical foul each.
Denver’s Will Barton and Utah’s Royce O’Neale were also issued technicals for their involvement in the scrum.