David Adelman’s First Ejection and Fine
In what marked the first ejection of his coaching career, David Adelman, head coach of the Denver Nuggets, has been penalized by the NBA, receiving a $35,000 fine for his behavior during a recent game. The incident unfolded during the Nuggets’ 115-101 defeat to the Houston Rockets on Saturday, where Adelman’s frustration with referees escalated following a series of disputed calls, particularly involving star player Nikola Jokić.
The Incident
During the fourth quarter, tensions flared when Jokić was fouled in a sequence that led to Adelman’s outburst. He could be heard on broadcasts yelling,
“You are f***ing terrible, man!”
at the official, an outburst that soon resulted in him being assessed a second technical foul and subsequent ejection from the game. Adelman was then reportedly restrained by his coaching staff.
Adelman’s Reaction
After the game, Adelman expressed his bewilderment over the situation, stating,
“I was just looking for answers. It seemed like [the official] just kept walking away farther and farther. I thought we would talk, and it turns out they told me I had to leave. So yeah, it was a tough night for us for sure.”
Adelman’s Coaching Journey
Adelman, now the head coach for his first complete season, had taken over on an interim basis toward the end of the previous season after the Nuggets parted ways with Michael Malone. He officially became the head coach this summer, bringing a fresh new approach to a team that has seen consistent success. The 44-year-old has been part of the Nuggets coaching staff since the 2017-18 season.
Game Highlights
As for the game itself, the Rockets dominated the second half, fueled by Kevin Durant’s impressive 31-point performance, ending the Nuggets’ six-game winning streak. Despite Nikola Jokić leading the Nuggets with 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, the team’s poor shooting from beyond the arc—making just 8 of 29 attempts—contributed to their loss. Looking ahead, the Nuggets are set to face the Utah Jazz in their next match on Monday night.
