David Adelman was fined $35,000 after a hot ejection against the Rockets
The The Denver Nuggets’ 115–101 loss to the Houston Rockets brought an added feeling with the head coach David Adelman’s ejection after a controversial play involving Nikola Jokic. Tensions had been building throughout the night in the Ball Arena, and the moment sharpened an already frustrating outcome. The Nuggets saw their six-game winning streak come to an end as the controls fell late. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, rainfall continued lateras Adelman was fined $35,000 for using inappropriate language toward officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner.
The night never settled down. The Nuggets pushed early and then absorbed shots as the Rockets found rhythm and space. Jokić fought off the contact. The whistle remained silent. The margin was growing. Emotions crept in. With a restless crowd, every possession carried weight. When she broke her composure, she did it in front of his eyes.
As the Nuggets’ frustration boiled over
The spark came with 8:40 left in the fourth. At that point, the Nuggets trailed by as many as 17. Moments later, Nikola Jokic took contact near the rim on a missed attempt. No calls. In response, David Adelman hit the floor, confronted the officials and drew another technical that ended in his ejection.
Earlier in the evening, the Nuggets coach was already assessed a technical in the first quarter after two quick offensive fouls on Jokic. From there, the frustration never resets. As the exchange escalated, an f-bomb cut through the noise. The crowd roared. Nevertheless, the decision stood. As a result, the Nuggets ended the night without their head coach, chasing momentum that never came back.
Perspective is still important. The Nuggets remain 20–7, the No. 3 seed in the West. Despite that, they’ve won seven of their last 10. Still, the loss to the Rockets ended a streak, not a season. Still, moments like this last. elsewhere, Chris Finch of the Timberwolves drew the same penalty after his own tirade on Friday, a reminder of the league’s line.
Now the Utah Jazz are next and the position is stable. From here, the answer defines the stretch. Can the Nuggets turn frustration into fuel when the lights come back on?
2025-12-22 00:39:00
