PHOENIX (AP) — Denver Nuggets All-Star center Nikola Jokic was assessed a technical foul in the second quarter of Game 4 on Sunday after an altercation with Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
Late in the second quarter, Suns guard Josh Okogie crashed into the seats while trying to save a loose ball. He landed in a group of fans on the baseline that included Ishbia, who grabbed the basketball.
Jokic was trying to get the basketball quickly — apparently so the Nuggets could start their offensive possession — when he tried to take the ball away from Ishbia. The ball flew backward into the crowd, and then Ishbia was knocked backward by Jokic’s elbow.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia holds onto a loose ball out of bounds. Jokic went to go get it. Some tussling ensued. Joker with a little push on Ishbia - and he flops down. What a crazy sequence. #Nuggets @DenverChannel #NBAPlayoffs #BringItIn pic.twitter.com/K2iTOy0U4v
— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) May 8, 2023
There were a few minutes of confusion as officials sorted out the weird scene, and then Jokic was assessed a technical foul.
Ishbia told The Associated Press at halftime that he was “fine” and more worried about the game than the altercation. He was back in his usual seats in the second half.
Ishbia has only been the Suns’ owner for a few months, purchasing the team from the embattled Robert Sarver.
The Suns ultimately won Game 4, 129-124 despite 53 points from Jokic.
Will be interesting to see if NBA fines or disciplines owner. Regular fan gets thrown out under similar circumstances #Denver7 #Nuggets https://t.co/CA8zK4JsiQ
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) May 8, 2023
