The Denver Nuggets' preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday put Cam Johnson in the spotlight, as the Nuggets forward received his first ejection of the season.

Johnson was thrown out of the game after elbowing Austin Reaves in the face. Following an extensive review, officials assessed Johnson a Flagrant 2 foul for making “unnecessary and excessive” contact with Reaves' face.

Cam Johnson was ejected from the game following this elbow to the face of Austin Reaves.

This was ruled a Flagrant 2. pic.twitter.com/WmVaNpuMyM

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 17, 2026

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The Nuggets forward was subsequently ejected from Friday's preseason contest. Before leaving the court, Cam took a moment to shake hands with his teammates.

The decision attracted attention because some viewers felt the contact did not appear particularly forceful. Reaves himself seemed surprised by the ruling, while reactions online were divided over whether the incident warranted an immediate ejection.