Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone said his team needs to stay together after two players had to be separated near the bench as a playoff game got away from them on Monday.
Malone chalked up the dispute between Will Barton and DeMarcus Cousins to frustration. The skirmish came during a timeout after the Golden State Warriors had extended their lead to 10 points in the third quarter, eventually winning 126-106 to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
"That's all it is. Without getting into any details, no one wants to get embarrassed, no one wants to get their ass kicked on national TV," Malone said. "That's two games in a row where you're in the game, then, snap of the finger, you're out of the game. It just seems like it happens that quickly.
"I think it's just frustration. DeMarcus, Will, our whole team, we have a close team. We just got to iron those things out and find a way to stay together no matter what's going on, good or bad. Find a way to stay the course, stay together because that's the only chance we have to be competitive in this series. If we're fragmented or breaking off into groups, individuals, we have zero chance of winning a game in this series."
The Nuggets led by as many as 12 points in the first half before things went south.
"We can't splinter in adverse times," Malone said. "That's our challenge, when things get tough, finding a way to stay the course. You're down six at halftime and the third quarter there's just an avalanche."
Malone said he'd have a simple message for his team before returning to Denver for Games 3 and 4.
"I just want to make sure as we get on this plane tonight to go home that we get on that plane together, knowing we have a chance to get our first win at home in a few days. That's our whole focus."
