NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will have a major decision on his hands Monday morning on if superstar Nikola Jokic should be suspended for a pivotal Game 5 between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
Game 4 of the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns series was a fantastic clash that came down to the final minutes and was a showcase of some of the NBA’s greatest talent. Despite a historic 53-point showing from two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, it wasn’t enough as both Kevin Durant and Devin Booker dropped 36 points apiece in a big 129-124 win on Sunday.
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The victory tied the semifinals series at 2-2 and sets up a massive Game 5 in Denver tomorrow. However, the biggest story after the game was on the availability of Nikola Jokic for Tuesday’s game. However, the star center isn’t injured. No, he made headlines on Sunday with a wild moment when he clashed with Suns owner Matt Ishbia and other Phoenix fans during the second quarter.
While aggressively trying to get the ball back in play from a fan on the sidelines, Jokic bumped the Phoenix boss, and the former collegiate player intensified the drama by obviously flopping from the elbow shove. On a basic level, touching fans is an absolute no-no for the NBA, and some have wondered if Nikola Jokic might face a suspension.
Nikola Jokic stats (’22-’23): 24.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 38% 3PT
During a Monday morning edition of “First Take,” ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst gave a major update on the situation, and it is very good news for Denver Nuggets fans.
“In a situation like this where a fan is involved and a player makes contact, it is right there in black and white in the rules, that this comes down to commissioner discretion. That means this will be on Adam Silver’s desk today. Talking to folks last night, my feeling is we are looking at a possibility of a fine both ways.
“Regardless of [Ishbia] coming up to Jokic’s face, you can’t put your hands on a fan. Be it the owner or not. But I would be surprised, borderline stunned if it’s further than that. I will just say one caveat, I was surprised Draymond Green was suspended in the last round. But coming in 2-2, Game 5, considering the circumstances here, I would be very, very surprised.”
– Brian Windhorst
Game 5 of Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns takes place on Tuesday at 10 PM ET on TNT.