NBA makes decision on Jamal Murray discipline

Jamal Murray appears to be getting off with just a slap on the wrist.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Tuesday that the NBA has decided to fine the Denver Nuggets star guard Murray a “substantial” amount over his throwing incidents during the Nuggets’ Game 2 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Murray will ultimately not be suspended for his actions, however.

Charania later revealed that the amount of Murray’s fine — $100,000.

Murray lost his cool during the Nuggets’ blowout loss to the Wolves at home in Game 2. In the midst of a wretched 3-for-18 shooting performance, a frustrated Murray threw a heat pack from the bench area onto the floor during live play, making contact with multiple players (see the video here). A viral clip later showed that Murray also threw a towel from the bench in the direction of a referee who had his back turned at the time.

While $100,000 is indeed a significant fine, it probably won’t sting very much as Murray is making $33.8 million this season. A suspension, which may have been justified under the circumstances, would have hurt much more for Murray, whose Nuggets are now down 0-2 in the series as it shifts over to Minnesota. Denver should consider itself very lucky and will now look to bounce back with Murray in the lineup for Friday’s Game 3.