NBA PLAYOFFS

How much money was Nikola Jokic fined after shoving the Suns’ owner in the last series game?

With the series at 2-2, he will be ready to play on Tuesday night in Denver.

CHRISTIAN PETERSENAFP

Jokic received a $25,000 sanction from the NBA on Monday due to a mild bump of Suns owner Mat Ishbia during Game 4 while attempting to recover the ball from the crowd.  As a result, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets won’t be suspended for Game 5 against the Phoenix Suns.

With the series at 2-2, he will be ready to play on Tuesday night in Denver.

Suns player Josh Okogie fell into the seats while attempting to recover a lost ball, which set off the altercation. He fell among several spectators on the baseline, among them Ishbia, who was holding the basketball.

In the second quarter of Game 4 on Sunday night, Jokic attempted to take the ball from Ishbia, who was watching from courtside and elbowed the Suns’ owner. As a result, he was given a technical foul.

What did Nikola Jokic say about the incident with the Suns owner?

After a game in which he scored 53 points and distributed 11 assists, Jokic justified his conduct.

Jokic said, “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?

Michael Malone, the coach of the Denver Nuggets, said that Jokic was “going to get the ball and some fan is holding on to the ball like he wants to be part of the game.”

Jokic rushed to get the ball from Ishbia as fast as possible, allegedly so the Nuggets could begin their attacking possession. Instead, Ishbia was struck backward by Jokic’s elbow after the ball sailed backward into the crowd.

Afterward, there was a cry for Jokic to be suspended by the NBA. However, on Twitter this Monday, the Suns’ owner responded by communicating that he did not want the player to be suspended.

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