Nuggets Nikola Jokic and coach Mile Malone ejected in first half of game against Detroit Pistons

NEW DELHI: In a contentious matchup against the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, tensions escalated for the Denver Nuggets as both star player Nikola Jokic and head coach Mike Malone were ejected in the first half.
The sequence of ejections began with Jokic receiving his first technical foul for disputing a call during the first quarter. Shortly after, Coach Malone was ejected for entering the court to challenge another call, adding to the mounting frustrations for the Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP, found himself ejected later in the first half after arguing yet another call with just 1:22 remaining. Despite his early exit, Jokic had already made a notable impact on the game, contributing nine points, five rebounds, and five assists in just over 15 minutes of play.
At halftime, the Nuggets held a narrow lead with a score of 56-55, but the absence of their star player and head coach added a layer of complexity to the game.
The Detroit Pistons, entering the contest with a challenging 2-12 record and an 11-game losing streak, aimed to capitalize on the Nuggets' internal strife to secure a much-needed victory. The ejections served as a backdrop to what promised to be an intriguing second half, with the Nuggets navigating the remainder of the game without Jokic and the guidance of Coach Malone on the sidelines.
(With AP inputs)