Consequences aren’t always fair or justified. Sometimes, the person who is truly at fault isn’t the one who is held accountable.
That principle was on display in Denver when Jamal Murray instigated a confrontation at midcourt where three players were awarded technical fouls.
The Nuggets’ star was guarding Norman Powell at the top of the three-point line when the Clippers’ forward turned to drive to his left. Murray, who was out of position, picked Powell off the ground with one arm and was called for the foul.
Powell was not pleased. The veteran pushed Murray off him and threw the basketball at the Nuggets’ guard. It was a short time before the scuffle turned to melee as Christian Braun and Kris Dunn both ran in to defend their respective teammates.
Braun shoved Powell, Dunn shoved Murray, Powell shoved Braun back. Murray stepped away. It was the breaking point of a chippy game.
JAMAL MURRAY & NORMAN POWELL 😳
GETTING CHIPPY IN DENVER 👀 pic.twitter.com/kYb5kvOpFD
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 22, 2025
The referees conferred with one another and assessed three technical fouls. Powell, Braun, and Dunn all picked up techs.
Color analyst Stan Van Gundy noted on the broadcast he thought Murray should be assessed a technical of his own for instigating the brawl.
Stan Van Gundy outraged that this common foul was called a common foul and not a super mega tech on Murray lmfao https://t.co/U47bcgI6MI
— Zachary Faria (@ZacharyFaria) April 22, 2025
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Instead, Murray got the best outcome. Two technical fouls offset, leaving an extra foul shot for the Nuggets. Murray got the call to shoot the free throw, earning a point and a common foul out of the entire ordeal.
It’s not fair, but neither is life. Perhaps the best outcome from this is learning that important lesson.
