As the NBA playoffs continue, tensions between players and team owners have been running high. The recent incident between Nikola Jokic and Matt Ishbia during Game 4 of the Nuggets-Suns series highlighted this tension.
Jokic, who was defending his team’s honor, pushed Ishbia back down to his seat after a bit of a sideline scuffle. This led to Jokic being slapped with a $25,000 fine by the NBA.
Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who was sitting right beside Ishbia during the game, had a front-row view of the altercation. Thomas couldn’t help but marvel at the size and strength of Nikola Jokic, exclaiming, “Joker is BIG… He looks bigger than he is out there on the floor.”
"I just wanted the whole world to know, that Joker is BIG" 🤣🤣@IsiahThomas shares his perspective of the Jokic incident from Game 4 pic.twitter.com/LYUQlP6ffU
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 9, 2023
Despite the altercation, Thomas explained that the main concern of the crowd in that section was the cameraman who was hit when Suns forward Josh Okogie fell out of bounds.
Jokic’s frustration with Ishbia was apparent as he felt the team owner had kept the ball from him. The altercation continued to escalate as Jokic continued to voice his frustration with Ishbia. Despite the tension, both teams managed to finish the game without any further incidents. However, the situation highlights the need for mutual respect between players and team owners in the NBA.
Moving forward, both players and team owners need to remember that they’re all part of the same league and that their actions on and off the court can have a significant impact on the NBA as a whole. While tensions may run high during heated moments, it’s important for everyone involved to maintain a level head and remember that they’re all professionals representing the NBA.
Nikola Jokic Fined $25K, but Not Suspended for Altercation with Suns Owner
Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for his physical altercation with Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia during Game 4 of the Conference Semifinals on Sunday.
The incident occurred when Jokic attempted to retrieve the ball from the crowd after Suns player Josh Okogie crashed into the seats while trying to get his hands on a loose ball. Ishbia held onto the ball, and Jokic elbowed him while trying to retrieve it, before shoving him in the heat of the moment.
Despite the altercation, Jokic will not be suspended from playing in Game 5 of the series, which will be held on Tuesday. Ishbia himself took to Twitter to express that he did not want to see Jokic suspended or fined, writing “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!”
Jokic, on the other hand, expressed his frustration with the incident, stating “The fan put the hand on me first. I thought the league was supposed to protect us. Maybe I am wrong. I know who he is, but he is a fan. Isn’t he?” Nuggets coach Michael Malone defended Jokic’s actions, saying “He’s going to get the ball and some fan is holding onto the ball like he wants to be part of the game.”
The Suns defeated the Nuggets in Game 4, leveling the series 2-2. In the game, Jokic was the best performer for the Nuggets, finishing with 53 points, four rebounds, and 11 assists. The Suns’ Kevin Durant and Devin Booker contributed 36 points each in the win.
