The NBA has levied a $35,000 fine against Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman for his behavior during Saturday’s road loss to the Houston Rockets, the league announced on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
According to the league’s statement, the first-year coach was penalized for using inappropriate language toward game officials and for delaying his exit from the court after being ejected in the fourth quarter.
The incident marked Adelman’s first career ejection as an NBA head coach. Midway through the final period, the 43-year-old stormed onto the floor protesting what he believed was a missed foul call on star center Nikola Jokić. Adelman shouted and pointed at one of the referees before receiving two quick technical fouls that sent him to the locker room.
“It felt like a reaction to the game earlier in the week,” Adelman told reporters afterward, as relayed by Sports Illustrated. “They had one foul with five minutes to go in the second quarter, and I just felt like both teams were playing extremely hard, physical… Honestly, I was confused. And so I was just looking for answers, and it turns out I had to leave.”
Both teams finished the contest with 20 personal fouls.
Source: Hoops Rumors
