The Los Angeles Clippers won Game 5 of their tight playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, but there’s controversy brewing after one play had NBA Twitter calling for Marcus Morris to be suspended.
In the third quarter, as Doncic was going to get an inbounds pass after a Clips’ shot, Morris ran over to guard him and stepped on the back of Doncic’s left foot, which happens to be attached to the ankle that he sprained in Game 3. Doncic’s shoe came off.
Accusations immediately flew on social media, and after the game, Morris took to Twitter to deny he had done anything deliberate:
I play this game with a level of respect for myself and other players. To think I would try to injure somebody is crazy to me. 10 years going against the best. I stand on morals and hard work. I compete and leave it out there every game.
— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) August 26, 2020
“Basketball has never been that serious to try to hurt somebody,” he added in his next tweet. “I’m not apologizing for (expletive) because I know what I put into this game day in and day out. It was a mistake deal wit [sic] it. Competing is why I play.”
Here’s a shot of the moment:
Marcus Morris trying to step on Luka’s injured ankle ? 😐 pic.twitter.com/Tjfj9prRMz
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) August 26, 2020
And another angle:
The sideline view of Marcus Morris stepping on Luka Doncic's injured ankle 👀🤔#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/t3AIzL7kHJ
— Sports ReUp (@SportsReUp) August 26, 2020
Doncic said he hoped “it wasn’t intentional,” but added “every person is going to have their own thoughts.”
Full exchange of Luka Doncic on the incident where Marcus Morris stepped on his sprained left ankle: pic.twitter.com/4wOt9wsYa1
— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) August 26, 2020
NBA Twitter wasn’t convinced it was accidental:
What Marcus Morris just did was obviously and clearly intentional & is utterly outrageous.
The future face of the league & you intentionally try to re-injure his ankle. The league has to look at that.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) August 26, 2020
100% intentional breaks stride to float that foot.
Thing is. Does anyone care enough? Or are we just chalking it up to a vet move in the playoffs?
Happens at all levels. Marcus Morris is a Dante Jones type of goon. The clippers signed him for exactly this. pic.twitter.com/mV2CfqQEMf
— JA ➐ (@LjsGoat) August 26, 2020
Marcus Morris blatantly went after Luka’s left ankle… This warrants a suspension. 🗑 pic.twitter.com/geO6Gt5zRF
— Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) August 26, 2020
Marcus Morris could’ve potentially ruined Luka’s career on that “incident” he must be suspended #suspendmarcusmorris
— Zach (@627zach) August 26, 2020
People are also citing some past Morris incidents that were similarly questionable (although the ball slam to Justin Anderson’s head was blatant):
Marcus Morris is being called dirty for falling onto Luka Dončić‘s ankle
Maybe it was an accident 🤷🏻♂️
It’s not like he’s fallen like that before while trying to drive his knee into another player’s head
Uhhhh … oh #MFFL pic.twitter.com/JZC9WdXymS
— T̷R̷O̷Y̷ ̷H̷U̷G̷H̷E̷S̷ (@TommySledge) August 26, 2020
Streetball.
Marcus Morris got ejected for purposely hitting Justin Anderson in the head with the ball 😳 pic.twitter.com/mOEDsajWCH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 8, 2019
I’m with Doncic. I hope it wasn’t deliberate. If it was, it absolutely deserves a suspension.
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