LOS ANGELES – Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic escaped a ban but was fined US$25,000 (S$33,160) by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Monday, after an on-court run-in with Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia during Game 4 of the Western Conference semi-finals.
NBA head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement that the fine was for “making improper conduct with a spectator sitting courtside”.
Following the incident in Phoenix on Sunday, in which the Nuggets star was assessed a technical foul in the second quarter after making contact with Ishbia, the latter made a plea on Monday for Jokic not to be suspended.
“Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far! That should be and is the only story,” Ishbia tweeted, following the 129-124 victory which tied the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
“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!”
The tussle happened after Jokic blocked Deandre Ayton’s lay-up attempt, and Suns guard Josh Okogie and Nuggets guard Jamal Murray scrambled for the loose ball, with Okogie – and the ball – flying into the first row of seats, close to where Ishbia was sitting.
Ishbia ended up with the ball, and Jokic came over to try and strip it from him.
He was somewhat successful in his attempt but, as he was prising the ball loose, the Suns owner seemed to swat it, prompting the two-time Most Valuable Player to push him aside.
The gesture sent Ishbia back into his seat, where he flailed his arms up into the air as fans in the surrounding area reacted with shock.
But he had the last laugh as the Suns won despite a monster game from Jokic, who finished with 53 points and 11 assists.
“The fan put the hand on me first,” he said after the game, defending his actions, and said he was responding only because Ishbia made contact with him 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?“
Game 5 is set for Tuesday night (Wednesday morning, Singapore time) in Denver.
Jokic won the Most Valuable Player Award in 2021 and 2022 and was runner-up to Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers this season.
But in his eight years with Denver, the team have only one trip to the Conference Finals and has not made it to the NBA Finals.
As the No. 1 seed in the West this season, hopes are high in Denver that will change.
REUTERS, AFP, NYTIMES
