Nikola Jokic vs. Markieff Morris: Brothers Get Involved After Heat-Nuggets Altercation

The feud between Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris appears to have extended beyond the basketball court. After the reigning MVP was ejected for a hard foul against Morris in Monday’s game between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat, the brothers of both NBA players have gotten involved.

Morris shoved Jokic toward the end of Denver’s 113-96 win over Miami, only for the Nuggets’ center to retaliate with a forearm to Morris’ back that sent him to the ground. Players from both teams had to be separated as Morris writhed on the ground in pain.

Morris’ brother, Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris, took a veiled shot at Jokic on Twitter, pointing out that Denver’s star hit Markieff Morris when he was defenseless and his back was turned. Jokic’s brothers, who are not in the NBA, tweeted at Morris and warned him not to threaten Nikola.

Waited till bro turned his back smh. NOTED ✍_
— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) November 9, 2021

Just got a text from Jokic’s brother. This is their real account responding to Marcus Morris’s tweet last night. https://t.co/ON4AH3JxwN
— Mike Singer (@msinger) November 9, 2021

According to Mike Singer of The Denver Post, Nemanja Jokic and Strahinja Jokic created a Twitter account after the fight for the sole purpose of responding to Marcus Morris.

Jokic’s brothers regularly attend Denver home games. The pair was at Monday’s contest, according to a Twitter user, who claims the brothers seemed ready to defend Jokic on the spot.

That’s not surprising, considering Nemanja and Strahinja got particularly heated during the 2021 playoffs when Jokic set off another scrum with a flagrant foul.

Nikola Jokic clobbers Markieff Morris from behind late in the fourth quarter and things get intense. pic.twitter.com/v5PvTg6w0d
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) November 9, 2021

Sat next to the Jokic brothers - they were ready to brawl postgame. pic.twitter.com/T3ZkJRFu7Z
— Joey Wil (@jwrem) November 9, 2021

For their actions Monday, Morris received a flagrant foul 2 and Jokic was ejected. Jokic could be suspended for blindsiding Morris.

"That was a very dangerous and dirty play," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game. "Keef took a foul and it was one of those fast-break-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. And the play after that's just absolutely uncalled for."

Heat star Jimmy Butler was seething after the foul, shouting at Jokic when play was stopped and the two teams were kept apart. Members of Miami’s roster reportedly tried to confront Jokic after the game before security stepped in.

The Nuggets visit Miami on Nov. 29.