Markieff Morris suspended 2 games for towel throwing
Dec 24, 2015, 12:19 PM | Updated: 1:12 pm
The Suns announced that Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris has been suspended two games for conduct detrimental to the team.
Morris threw a towel at head coach Jeff Hornacek during Wednesday’s 104-96 loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania had the initial report.
When told during game that he nailed Hornacek in leg, Morris told teammates he hadn't intended to hit coach. Two games, no pay for Morris.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 24, 2015
The incident occurred during the fourth quarter after Morris was taken out of the game.
Following the game, Hornacek said the team would consider disciplinary actions.
“He’s mad about not playing. I look at the stat sheet, he’s a minus-13 in 12 minutes. There, I took him out,” Hornacek said after Wednesday’s game. . “He thinks he’s better than that. Well, show me.”
Morris did not want to comment on about it after the game other than saying that it was something between he and Hornacek.
“We just need a win. It’s not about me and Jeff, it’s about the team. We need wins,” Morris said.
However, he did tweet out a response Thursday afternoon.
My frustration got the best of me last night. It won't happen again. I apologize to Jeff. My teammates told me I hit coach with the towel.
— Keef Morris (@Keefmorris) December 24, 2015
In no way was that towel intended for him. I just want to help my team win so much. That's my focus moving forward. #Foe
— Keef Morris (@Keefmorris) December 24, 2015
Ryan McDonough said that the Suns consulted with the NBA on the suspension and said there was precedent for “these types of situations.”
McDonough said that it would have been the same suspension for any other player on the team.
“I met with Markieff this morning individually and talked to him about it. I think he understood it,” McDonough said.
“He felt badly about it. He realized he got a little emotional and that the behavior was not acceptable. Obviously since we traded his brother over the summer things haven’t gone the way we hoped they would go on or off the court.”
The Suns have been struggling all month long and Morris’ trade demands from the summer still hang over the team. His recent string of DNP-CD’s brought even more trade rumors to the forefront.
In addition to the two games Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the suspension will cost in $145,455 in salary.
