Heat's Markieff Morris takes shot at 'sloppy' Nikola Jokic over neck injury from scuffle
Miami's Markieff Morris is sounding off on Denver’s Nikola Jokic after he missed his 30th consecutive game on Thursday following their November altercation that led to an injury.
Morris was diagnosed with a whiplash after Jokic blindsided him with a hard shove late in the Denver-Miami game on Nov. 8, resulting in a one-game suspension for Jokic. Morris was fined $50,000 by the league for initiating the altercation by intentionally crashing into Jokic from the side on the previous play, a foul that referees called flagrant.
The Miami forward hasn't played since, missing 30 straight games due to his neck injury. Legion Hoops noted Morris' long absence on Twitter on Thursday, writing, "This is wild."
Morris fired back on Twitter. He said whiplash is "a real injury!"
He directed his frustration at Jokic: "Imagine having a 300 pound sloppy fat boy run full speed and make direct contact with your spine! I’ll be back soon like I said."
SCUFFLE: Nuggets' Nikola Jokic suspended one game, Heat's Markieff Morris fined
With 2:39 left to play in a 113-96 Nuggets victory over the Miami Heat, Jokić was fouled hard near midcourt, as Miami tried to stop the clock and send Denver to the line. Last season's Most Valuable Player took exception with the foul from Morris, and after Morris had turned around and walked away, Jokić charged and lowered his shoulder and right forearm into Morris' back, sending Morris to the court.
Morris, whose head snapped back after he was shoved from behind, was writhing around on the court for several minutes after the foul, which came as Denver held a17-point lead.
MORE: Nuggets' Nikola Jokić ejected for blindside shove of Heat's Markieff Morris
MORE: Morris, Jokic brothers trade threats on Twitter after Nikola Jokic-Markieff Morris altercation
After the game, Jokic acknowledged that it was a "stupid play."
"I feel bad. I am not supposed to react that way," Jokic said. "I think it was a dirty play. And I just needed to protect myself. I felt bad. I am not supposed to react that way, but I need to protect myself."
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the blindside shot was "absolutely uncalled for."
"That was a very dangerous and dirty play," Spoelstra said. "Keef took a foul, and it was one of those fastbreak take fouls, and he did with his shoulder. You might deem that maybe as a little bit more than just slapping somebody, but after watching it on film, it was a take foul. That's how I saw it."
Contributing: Lorenzo Reyes
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Markieff Morris takes shot at 'sloppy' Nikola Jokic after scuffle
