Suns' Marcus Morris apologizes after shouting at coach Jeff Hornacek

Marcus Morris shouted directly in the face of coach Jeff Hornacek during Phoenix's 113-111 win in Minnesota on Wednesday, but cooler heads have apparently prevailed.
Suns' Marcus Morris apologizes after shouting at coach Jeff Hornacek
Suns' Marcus Morris apologizes after shouting at coach Jeff Hornacek /

Marcus Morris shouted directly in the face of coach Jeff Hornacek during Phoenix's 113-111 win in Minnesota on Wednesday, but cooler heads have apparently prevailed.

Tensions mounted with a little less than three minutes to go in the third quarter, when Morris was issued a technical foul for disputing a call. After returning to the bench for a stoppage of play, Morris continued yelling at members of the Suns' coaching staff. Finally, Morris leaned forward towards Hornacek, gestured in frustration and screamed before the two men were eventually separated.

The Arizona Republic reports that Morris apologized to his coach and his Suns teammates for his extended outburst, adding that the exchange between player and coach was indeed precipitated by Morris' frustration with the officials. ​

"Gotta be a better professional for my younger teammates and can't let my emotions get the best of me," Morris wrote on Twitter afterwards. "Love my coach and my team. Great win."

VIDEO: Highlights of Phoenix's 113-111 road victory against Minnesota

Morris, 25, has received five technical fouls this season, which puts him among the league's leaders in that department. His twin brother, Markieff, also received a technical foul on Wednesday, marking his eighth of the 2014-15 campaign.

The Morris Twins are no strangers to the whistle. Last year, Markieff Morris ranked sixth in the NBA with 12 technical fouls, while Marcus Morris accrued five technicals.

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Phoenix improved to 22-16 thanks to 25 points (on 11-for-16 shooting) and four assists from Goran Dragic. Marcus Morris added eight points (on 4-for-7 shooting).

Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with 25 points (on 10-for-16 shooting), four rebounds and two assists. Mo Williams added 23 points (on 7-for-14 shooting) and 11 assists. Minnesota dropped to 5-29.

Video via YouTube user cjzerovids


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Ben Golliver
BEN GOLLIVER

Ben Golliver is a staff writer for SI.com and has covered the NBA for various outlets since 2007. The native Oregonian and Johns Hopkins University graduate currently resides in Los Angeles.