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Nikola Jokic will not be suspended after the altercation he had with the new owner of the Phoenix Suns, Matt Ichpia, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The scuffle occurred late in the fourth quarter after Jokic attempted to take the ball from Ishbia, which resulted in MVP pushing the owner twice.
According to the league, Jokic will not be suspended for Game 5. However, he was fined $25,000 by the NBA for pushing Ishbia. According to the statement released by the league, the fine was issued due to “improper contact of the Serbian center with a spectator seated in the stadium”.
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ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi confirmed the fine earlier. Watch below to see what happened during the altercation between Ichpea and Jokic.
Game 4 was won by the Suns, who tied the series with both teams winning twice. On the other hand, Jokic dominated the match and finished the game with 53 points, 11 assists and four rebounds. However, it wasn’t enough as Phoenix took another road game from them. The five-time All-Star averaged 30.8 points, 13.1 rebounds and 9.2 assists in this year’s playoffs.
You may also be interested in reading this: “The REAL MVP” – NBA fans are in awe of Nikola Jokic whose 53-point mastery crashed in Game 4
Nikola Jokic wasn’t happy with the way the NBA handled Matt Ichpeia
One of the best players in the league right now, Nikola Jokic has earned his place as one of the most marketable players around. However, that didn’t stop the league from awarding the All-Star spot a fine after his encounter with the Suns’ owner. After their loss, Jokic spoke about how upset he was with how the brawl was handled.
“He told me I was lying to the fans, but the fan got his hands on me first. I thought the league was supposed to protect us or something. But maybe I’m wrong. So we’ll see.” Jokic said.
Jokic was then asked if he had any idea who the fan was at the time. He responded indirectly by saying that no matter who the person is, that person is still a fan.
“He’s got his hands on me. They’re not going to protect me, they’re going to protect a fan? Well. Not me, as a person. I’m talking about him as a player. They (the fans) can do that,” Jokic said when asked if he was worried about being fined or suspended, whatever of course. .
For a star who won the Player of the Year award twice, it is strange that he should be fined for trying to protect himself. The league has not issued a statement on whether or not Ishbia will be in any kind of trouble.
Game 5 will be in Denver where the Nuggets will try to outdo the Suns.
Also read: ‘I didn’t know Stevie Wonder was a reference’ – Nuggets fans furious after no-call on Nikola Jokic by DeAndre Ayton cost them Game 4
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