Nuggets’ Karl suspended two games

Karl was punished for vehemently criticizing the officiating after Denver’s 101-92 loss to the New Jersey Nets on Monday night.

Karl was named the head coach of the Nuggets on January 27, 2005 and helped the team to the playoffs, but they were beaten in the first round by the eventual NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.

Karl went 32-8 as the Nuggets coach last season.

Assistant coach Scott Brooks has assumed head coaching duties in Karl’s absence.

In the first of two games with Brooks at the helm, Denver fell to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, 102-95, on Wednesday.