NBA Fines Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic for Brush With Suns Owner

The possibility of Jokic missing Game 5 was a widely discussed topic following Game 4’s bizarre incident.

The NBA reached a decision Monday regarding discipline for Nuggets star Nikola Jokić following his sideline brush with Suns owner Mat Ishbia during Phoenix’s 129–124 Game 4 win over Denver on Sunday.

Jokic, 28, received a fine of $25,000 from the league and will avoid a suspension for Sunday’s incident. The possibility of Jokic missing Game 5 was a widely discussed topic in the aftermath of Game 4, though ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Monday morning it was “unlikely” the NBA would suspend the two-time MVP center.

With 2:36 remaining in the second quarter, Jokic attempted to retrieve the ball from a fan, quickly identified by the TNT broadcast crew as Ishbia, after it rolled into the stands, a wild scene that led to a technical foul for the five-time All-Star.

Jokic shoves Suns owner Mat Ishbia 😳 pic.twitter.com/5UBBAkM2Ba

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 8, 2023

Jokic addressed the incident after Game 4, expressing hope that the league would prioritize player safety.

“He told me I was elbowing the fan, but the fan put the hand on me first. I thought the league is supposed to protect us, or whatever,” Jokic said.

When asked if he was aware who “the fan” was, Jokic said he knew it was the Suns owner, but at the time, in his eyes, Ishbia was nothing more than a fan.

“But his hands on me, so they’re not going to protect me? They’re going to protect the fan?” said Jokic. “He’s influencing the game. I think he’s supposed to get kicked out if he’s influencing the game.” 

Ishbia was allowed to stay courtside, though another fan was ejected from the arena.

Ishbia later weighed in on the conversation surrounding Jokic’s possible discipline by saying he respected the 28-year-old and hoped he would avoid punishment.

“Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far! That should be and is the only story,” Ishbia wrote on Twitter. “Suspending or fining anyone over last nights incident would not be right. I have alot [sic] of respect for Jokic and don’t want to see anything like that. Excited for game 5! Go Suns!”

Game 5 is set to tip off at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday.