Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns unraveled with just over two minutes left in the second quarter on Monday night, with Nikola Jokic getting into an altercation with fans sitting court side.

With 2:36 left in the second quarter, Suns guard Josh Okogie fell into the seats after attempting to save a ball from going out of bounds. 

Nikola Jokic shoves fans after trying to get the ball

Jokic then ran over to get the basketball, presumably to take advantage of Okogie still down on the ground, and was met by fans court side standing in his way. He then took the ball from the fan and gave a quick shove to the guy holding the basketball and sent him “flopping” back into his seat. 

The fan in question turned out to be Suns owner Matt Ishbia

Side Note: Talk about a FLOP from Matt Ishbia here. Disgusting.

Another fan grabbed a chunk of Jokic’s jersey while a third put his hand on Jokic’s left arm

Another twist in the story, the guy in the blue shirt who grabbed Jokic’s jersey was actually Hall of Fame point guard Isiah Thomas. 

Jokic was hit with an unsportsmanlike technical foul and security removed the guy in the black shirt that touched Jokic. 

Both Ishbia and Thomas walked away without receiving any type of penalty. 

After the game, referee Tony Brothers explained why Jokic was issued a technical foul but not ejected for the contact.

“I just deemed the technical foul the appropriate penalty for what happened over there,” Brothers told a pool reporter. “He didn’t just run over and hit a fan. There was some engagement, so I deemed the technical foul the appropriate penalty.”

Nikola Jokic, who scored 53-points in the 129-124 loss to the Suns, spoke to reports after the game. 

“The fan put the hand on me first,” Jokić said while declining to say Ishbia’s name. “I thought the league’s supposed to protect us or whatever. So, but maybe I’m wrong.”

“He’s a fan, isn’t he?” Jokić continued. “He’s sitting on the court, then he’s a fan, isn’t he? … Whoever it is, he is a fan. He cannot influence the game holding the ball.”

When asked if he was worried about a fine or a suspension, Jokić responded “why?”

“His hand’s on me,” Jokić continued. “So they’re not gonna protect me? They’re gonna protect the fan?

“Not me as a person, but I’m talking about as a player. I mean, they can do whatever, of course. They don’t care. I think they’re supposed to project players. … I think he’s supposed to get kicked out if he’s influencing the game.” via Yahoo

Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone also addressed the incident with reporters following the game. 

Mike Malone also commented on the technical foul on Jokic and the interaction with Suns owner Matt Ishbia. He referred to him as “some fan” and when asked if it matters that he’s the Suns owner, he said “I really don’t give a shit!”

Honestly, I’m going to defend Nikola Jokic here and you know I absolutely love him saying that Ishbia is just another fan sitting court side, even with his guest being Hall of Famer Isaiah Thomas. That’s hilarious.

Jokic is 100 percent correct. Why is the “fan” holding the basketball in the first place? Why did other fans stand in his way, basically squaring up with the Nuggets center? 

The fan literally hit Jokic. I don’t give a shit if it’s a team owner, Isiah Thomas, or just some random rich guy sitting court side. Simply can’t happen. 

With the series against the Phoenix Suns now tied 2-2, Game 5 is slated for Denver tonight. 

UPDATE:

Good on Matt Ishbia for coming out and saying that he doesn’t want anyone fined or suspended for the incident.

Respect. 

No Suspension, Just a $25,000 Fine – Game 5 Tonight

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