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NBA Fines Nuggets Coach David Adelman $35,000 After First-Career Ejection in Loss to Rockets

League scrutiny of recent Nuggets–Rockets officiating set the stage for the sideline flashpoint.

nterim head coach David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets works the sidelines as his team plays the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter at Ball Arena on April 11, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
Nuggets coach David Adelman fined $35K for inappropriate language
Dec 20, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman has to be held back by his coaches before being ejected during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
May 13, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman looks at the score against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter of game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Overview

  • The league announced Sunday that Adelman was fined for directing inappropriate language at officials and for failing to leave the court promptly after his ejection.
  • He was tossed with 8:40 remaining in the fourth quarter as Denver trailed 80-72, his first ejection as an NBA head coach, after protesting fouls on Nikola Jokić and a later no-call at the rim.
  • Assistant coach Jared Dudley finished the game, which Houston won 115-101 to snap Denver’s six-game winning streak.
  • The contest turned chippy, with Kevin Durant exchanging words with Bruce Brown and mimicking an ejection gesture as Adelman pursued an official.
  • The backdrop included the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report from the teams’ prior meeting that cited three overtime errors favoring Denver and a $25,000 fine for Rockets coach Ime Udoka for public criticism of officiating.