May 5, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) against the Phoenix Suns during game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns
(New York, NY) — It was probably the most surreal moment of the NBA Playoffs thus far…or of the last three playoffs.
Nikola Jokic, the MVP runner-up and Denver Nuggets star, actually went into the stands during Denver’s 124-129 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
With 2:36 left in the second quarter of action, Suns guard Josh Okogie fell into the stands while hounding a loose ball out of bounds. The ball fell into the hands of a fan with courtside seats. Jokic went to get the ball and did so forcefully, yanking the ball out of the hands of the fan who corralled it. After Jokic got the ball loose, he shoved the fan on the chest, sending him tumbling back into his seat. Jokic got a tech, and was fined $25K on Monday but not suspended.
The fan was Mat Ishbia, the owner of the Suns. Ishbia took to Twitter on Monday morning to address the situation:
“Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far! That should be and is the only story,” Ishbia tweeted. “Suspending or fining anyone over last nights incident would not be right. I have alot of respect for Jokic and don’t want to see anything like that. Excited for game 5! Go Suns!”
From the Nuggets’ point of view Ishbia was at fault.
“The fan put the hand on me first,” Jokic explained. “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 said 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.”
Game 5 is set for Tuesday at 10 PM EST.
