Nuggets Assistant Coach Ejected During Houston Rockets Matchup

Denver Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman was ejected for the first time in his NBA career during a tense matchup against the Houston Rockets in Houston on Monday night. The incident unfolded late in the game as frustrations grew on the Denver bench during a tight fourth-quarter stretch. Officials issued back-to-back technical fouls on Adelman, resulting in an automatic ejection and shifting the emotional tone inside Toyota Center.

The game itself had already carried a competitive edge, with the Rockets applying strong defensive pressure and controlling the pace for most of the night. Adelman's ejection came after he voiced sharp objections to a foul call. The exchange quickly escalated, and referees moved to eject him as players and staff attempted to refocus on closing out the contest.

Adelman, long regarded for his composed sideline presence, had never previously been ejected in his NBA coaching career. His departure added a dramatic layer to a game the Nuggets struggled to reclaim, ultimately falling to the Rockets as Houston fans responded with loud applause to the developments on the court.

Why It Matters

Houston’s win added momentum to a team seeking to strengthen its position in the Western Conference. The Rockets have shown improved resilience this season, and Monday’s performance underscored their ability to capitalize on emotional swings and maintain poise under pressure. Adelman’s ejection did not alter the final outcome, but it highlighted the intensity surrounding Houston’s late-season push.

For local fans, the moment also marked a rare sideline episode in a matchup that typically leans competitive but controlled. The Rockets have demonstrated increasing confidence at home, and this latest game further energized the Houston basketball community.

What’s Next

Houston continues its homestand later this week, aiming to carry the momentum into upcoming matchups that could influence playoff positioning. Denver, looking to regroup after an emotional night, will evaluate what went wrong on both ends of the floor.

As for Adelman, the league will review the ejection as part of its standard postgame process, though no additional discipline is expected based on current reporting.

This article is a summary of reporting by SSBCrack News. Read the full story here.