Derrick Favors, Mason Plumlee Fined For Altercation
Jan 25, 2019, 6:38 PM | Updated: 6:39 pm
Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets players get into a scuffle as they play an NBA basketball game in Salt Lake City at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) and Denver Nuggets forward Mason Plumlee (24) were ejected from the game. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA announced Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors and the Denver Nuggets’ Mason Plumlee have been fined for their altercation in the first quarter of Wednesday’s game at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Favors received a fine of $15,000 and Plumlee got $25,000. Both were ejected following the scuffle with 2:46 left in the first quarter. The NBA also handed Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic a suspension for leaving the bench area during the altercation, although he did never get involved.
As Favors and Plumlee were vying for rebounding position, their arms got tangled. Favors, who played college at Georgia Tech then pulled Plumlee by the arm. The former Duke Blue Devil then confronted Favors and said something before the Jazzman shoved him away.
Replay Review (Game Crew): a player altercation in Q1 of #DENatUTA. Ruling: Plumlee and Favors ejected, technical fouls assessed to Barton and O’Neale. pic.twitter.com/v72l2vyFOA
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) January 24, 2019
It was when Plumlee ran at Favors that more players got involved. As the former ACC rivals were pulled away from one another, several members of the Denver bench stood and moved toward the altercation.
Although he stayed behind the baseline, Jokic took several steps towards Favors, coming out as far as the “T” of the “Utah Jazz” on the floor.
Will Barton of the Nuggets and Jazz forward Royce O’Neale were also given technical fouls.
Derrick Favors and Mason Plumlee were ejected after sparking an altercation on the court following a foul on the floor.
Nikola Jokic came off the bench and down the baseline, but didn’t get involved. pic.twitter.com/2QnsvjcEpA
— ESPN (@espn) January 24, 2019
Following the game Jokic said he felt confident he wouldn’t get suspended.
“I was not on the court,” Jokic said. “I mean, I cannot step? I was not even close.”
Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic says he’s not concerned about hearing from the league office about potentially stepping on the court during the first quarter altercation. “I was not on the court,” he said. pic.twitter.com/7Sh6QDgdJK
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) January 24, 2019
Jokic will be suspended without pay, as well, the NBA announced.
“Jokić’s close proximity to the altercation and aggressive manner created the potential for further escalation of the situation,” the NBA press release said.
The Jazz take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday at 7 P.M.
