Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman will face a $35,000 fine from the NBA following his ejection during Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets. The league cited Adelman for using inappropriate language towards a game official and not leaving the court promptly after being ejected during the 115-101 loss, marking the first ejection of his coaching career.
During the second half at Ball Arena, Adelman received a technical foul and clashed with officials over two disputed foul calls involving Nikola Jokic in the fourth quarter. After Jokic was fouled and lost possession, Adelman angrily confronted the referee, shouting, “That’s terrible, man!” loud enough for the broadcast to capture. Despite attempts by his assistants to restrain him, Adelman followed the referee, who then issued a second technical foul and ejected him from the game.
Adelman, reflecting post-game, expressed confusion and frustration, stating that officials kept moving away when he tried to seek explanations, ultimately leading to his ejection.
This marks Adelman’s first full season as the Nuggets’ head coach after serving as interim head coach late last season following the departure of Michael Malone. Adelman, 44, has been part of the Denver organization since the 2017-18 season.
The Rockets maintained their lead throughout the second half, powered by Kevin Durant’s 31 points, ending the Nuggets’ six-game winning streak. Denver fell to a 20-7 record, with Jokic contributing 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. The team struggled from beyond the arc, making only 8 of 29 three-point attempts. The Nuggets will look to bounce back when they face the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
Fan Take: This incident highlights the intensity and passion coaches bring to the game, but also the importance of maintaining composure. For basketball fans, Adelman’s ejection is a reminder of how high-stakes NBA contests can lead to heated moments that impact team dynamics and the flow of the game.
