Following a fantastic Game 4, Nikola Jokic received some encouraging news from the NBA.
On Sunday, he was embroiled in an altercation when he attempted to grab the ball from the crowd and ended up pushing Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia instead of scoring 53 points on 20 of 30 shooting.
Jokic won’t be suspended as a result, according to the league, but he will be fined $25,000 instead.
Nikola Jokic will not be suspended but will be fined $25K for his altercation with Suns owner Mat Ishbia during Sunday night’s game, a source told @wojespn.
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ESPN (@espn) May 8, 2023
Jokic didn’t deserve to be suspended, according to some supporters.
This was the right move. I hate when they suspend players in the playoffs. Just fine them & lets keep this thing moving with the best of the best
JAYFORCE (@Jayforce) May 8, 2023
Good to hear that Nikola Jokic won’t be suspended but a $25K fine is definitely a reminder to keep his cool. Let’s focus on some great basketball and leave the altercations aside. #NBA #NikolaJokic #Suns #MatIshbia
Tele Peek Matt (@PeekTele) May 8, 2023
Why should he be punished for an owner holding the basketball preventing the flow of the game and an easy 4 on 5 situation? He was clearly going after the basketball and to him, the person holding it and holding his team up is just a fan. Don’t get me started on the flop.
TheBerSerKerr (@TheBerSerKerrr) May 8, 2023
This supporter appears to believe that Ishbia should be held liable because he retrieved the ball during the brawl when it was about to go out of bounds and hung onto it.
What about the Suns owner? He grabbed the ball and tried to keep it from Jokic
D.A. Henke (@Arden0211) May 8, 2023
Jokic gave his Denver Nuggets‘ 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals as best he could in Game 4.
Jamal Murray also had a strong performance with 28 points and seven assists, but it wasn’t enough because he also had 11 assists and made 11-of-13 from the free throw line.
Devin Booker had a terrific game for the Suns, scoring 36 points for the team while shooting 14 of 18 from the field after going 20 of 25 and scoring 47 points in Game 3. Kevin Durant also scored 36 points for the Suns.
Even without Chris Paul, who has been sidelined for the past two games due to a groin injury, they won Game 4 129-124, tying the series at two wins apiece.
According to reports, Paul will also miss Game 5 in Denver, giving Jokic and the Nuggets a significant chance to take back the series and move within one victory of a trip to the Western Conference Finals.
NEXT:
The NBA Announces Decision On Nikola Jokic Altercation