By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
One of the oddest incidents in the NBA playoffs so far occurred when Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets was slapped with a technical foul for making contact with Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia., but as Adrian Wojnarowski reported, Serbian center won’t be suspended, and he will be fined with 25.000 dollars.
The incident occurred with 2:36 left before halftime of Game 4 of the team’s Western Conference semifinal series in Phoenix when Suns forward Josh Okogie flew toward the courtside seats across from the Suns‘ bench, where Ishbia was sitting. With Denver leading 55-54, Jokic headed into the crowd to retrieve the ball and jump-start the Nuggets’ next offensive possession when he made contact with Ishbia.
As Jokic tried to take the ball from Ishbia, it flew farther into the crowd and Jokic’s left forearm connected with Ishbia’s chest as Jokic gestured for the ball. Ishbia, who played on Michigan State’s NCAA championship team in 2000, fell backward into his seat, and referee crew chief Tony Brothers determined the shove to be intentional. As of Monday morning, there was no comment from the NBA about whether Jokic might be suspended or fined, or both.
The Sun’s owner, however, made a statement on his Twitter account in support of the Serb big man.
“Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far! That should be and is the only story. Suspending or fining anyone over last night’s incident would not be right. I have a lot of respect for Jokic and don’t want to see anything like that. Excited for game 5! Go Suns!“, Ishbia wrote.
Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far!
That should be and is the only story. Suspending or fining anyone over last nights incident would not be right. I have alot of respect for Jokic and don’t want to see anything like that. Excited for game 5! Go Suns!— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) May 8, 2023