By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA has fined Nikola Jokic for the heated situation at the end of Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, meaning the Serbian superstar is eligible to play in Game 5. The league’s decision to forgo a suspension provides a massive boost to the Nuggets as they face elimination in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, though the $50,000 penalty serves as a firm rebuke of the late-game altercation.
Per the press release: “Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been fined $50,000 and Minnesota Timberwolves forward-center Julius Randle has been fined $35,000 for their roles in an all-court altercation, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
With 1.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Timberwolves’ 112-96 victory over the Nuggets in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on April 25 at Target Center, Jokic initiated the incident by confronting and shoving Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels. Randle escalated the incident by forcefully inserting himself into the scrum and shoving Nuggets guard-forward Bruce Brown. Jokic and Randle were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game.”
Despite the Wolves going up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, Italy’s Donte DiVincenzo (right Achilles tendon repair) and fellow starter Anthony Edwards (left knee bone bruise) sustained injuries and were forced to early exits in Game 4. Both are listed as out for Game 5, as expected, with action resuming on Monday in Ball Arena. Game 6, if necessary, follows in Target Center on Thursday.
With Peyton Watson (right hamstring strain) remaining sidelined since early April, Aaron Gordon (left calf tightness) is once again listed as questionable by the Nuggets, after returning to action in Game 4.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 1-2 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 2-2 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 2-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-1 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 3-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 3-0 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-3 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 3-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions