Tempers flared late Monday during Game 2 of the Denver Nuggets-Los Angeles Clippers first-round series.
The Clippers led the Nuggets 68-66 with about five minutes left in the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was chasing Clippers wing Norman Powell through screens as James Harden held the ball at the top of the key.
Powell shoved Murray while running toward the right wing. Once Harden gave Powell the ball, a frustrated Murray immediately grabbed Powell in what seemed like a frustration foul. Murray did not let go despite whistles already being blown. The Nuggets veteran instead lifted Powell off the ground, setting off a fracas between both sides.
JAMAL MURRAY & NORMAN POWELL 😳
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GETTING CHIPPY IN DENVER 👀 pic.twitter.com/kYb5kvOpFD
Clippers’ Kris Dunn and Nuggets’ Christian Braun also got involved in the ensuing shoving match. Dunn, Braun, and Powell were each issued technical fouls. Murray escaped relatively unscathed as referees deemed his contact a common foul.
Braun and Powell’s technical fouls offset each other, while Dunn’s infraction awarded the Nuggets with one technical free throw. Murray sank the free throw to cut the Clippers’ lead to 68-67.
