NBA fines Nuggets coach David Adelman $35K for erupting at officials, leading to ejection in loss to Rockets

Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for directing inappropriate language at game officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner after his ejection during the team's 115-101 loss to the Houston Rockets. This ejection was the first of Adelman's career.

The incident occurred in the fourth quarter when Adelman argued with officials over questionable foul calls on Nikola Jokić. After Jokić was smacked on the arm and lost the ball, Adelman erupted, sprinted at an official, and screamed, "You are f***ing terrible, man!" He continued to follow the official and had to be held back by assistants, leading to a second technical foul and automatic ejection.

Adelman expressed confusion after the game, stating he was "just looking for answers" and felt the official kept walking away. He is in his first full season as head coach, having been promoted from interim coach after the Nuggets parted ways with Michael Malone last season, and has been on staff in Denver since 2017-18.

The Rockets led the entire second half, with Kevin Durant scoring 31 points to secure the win, snapping the Nuggets' six-game win streak. Jokić led the Nuggets with 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, but the team struggled from three-point range. The Nuggets' next game is against the Utah Jazz.