nuggets Star center Nikola Jokic was called for a technical foul after a brief altercation with Denver in the second quarter of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals in Phoenix on Sunday night. suns OwnerMat Ishbia
The incident occurred with 2:36 left in the first half when Jokic blocked a DeAndre Ayton layup. suns Guard Josh Okogie and nuggets Guard Jamal Murray scrambles for the ball as Okogie and the ball fly into the first row of seats, near where Ishbia sits
Ishbia eventually got the ball and Jokic came over and tried to wrestle it away from him. Jokic’s attempt was somewhat successful, but when he pried the ball away, suns The boss appeared to pat it, prompting Jokic to push Ishbia aside
The move saw Ishbia return to his seat, waving his arms aloft, while fans in the surrounding area were stunned.
Chief umpire Tony Brothers told a pool reporter that Jokic had received an unsportsmanlike technical foul for taking the ball from a “fan” and deliberately shoving him and pushing him down. Brothers opted not to expel Jokic because he “didn’t just run up and hit a fan.”
Ishbia, who was a walk-on for coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State, said he was okay and more focused on the outcome of the game, which is suns Won 129-124 to tie series 2-2
However, Jokic doesn’t think he was wrong.
“The fans put their hands on me first,” Jokic said. “I think the league should protect us. Maybe I’m wrong. I know who he is, but he’s a fan. Isn’t he?”
nuggets Coach Michael Malone stands behind two-time MVP
“Go get the ball, some fans have the ball and want to play,” Malone said. “Hand over the ball, man.”
Jokic had a career-high 53 points to go along with 11 assists and four rebounds.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Denver.
–Field-level media