LOS ANGELES -- Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone and star Nikola Jokic were ejected Sunday after Malone stepped onto the court during play to confront referee Rodney Mott about a no-call.
Mott also called a technical foul on Denver guard Jamal Murray moments later in the second quarter after another no-call in the Nuggets' 127-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
"I'll be honest, I deserved to get tossed," Malone said. "But Nikola Jokic did nothing to warrant an ejection. That's something that we'll try to look into a little bit, if we can."
Jokic and two Lakers defenders made contact as the big man grabbed a rebound and missed two close shots at the basket. While the teams headed up the court, Malone took two big steps onto the court and blocked the path of Mott, who swiftly ejected him.
Jokic joined in the argument, and Mott ejected him at the same time.
"I want to apologize to the Denver Nuggets," Jokic said. "I feel bad. I left my teammates, my players, alone there. I just want to apologize to the Denver Nuggets' front office and who works for [the organization]."
The Lakers jumped to a 59-36 lead on Denver in the second quarter.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.