The Denver Nuggets made their way to Phoenix with their heads held high, holding a 2-0 lead in the series. However, their jokes heading into Game 3 would come to haunt them. Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets lost two straight games on the road, and the series is now level heading back to Denver. However, what concerns fans is Jokic’s availability for Game 5. With around 2 minutes left in the first half, Jokic had an incident with Suns Owner Mat Ishbia. This now has people wondering if a suspension is on the cards.
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The Nuggets forced a turnover on the possession, and Jokic wanted them to run on a fastbreak. However, the ‘courtside fan,’ who turned out to be Mat Ishbia, was holding the ball. Jokic tried to grab the ball out of his hands, which caused the ball to fly even further back. While Ishbia argued with Jokic, we could see the 2x MVP gently shove Mat to the bench.
Nikola Jokic trying to get the ball from the Suns fans pic.twitter.com/5c1no0UdwH
— Oh no he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) May 8, 2023
Will Nikola Jokic be suspended for Game 5?
The whole question about suspension came into play when the TNT broadcasters asked, “Will Nikola Jokic be suspended for Game 5?” while the game was still airing. This got people wondering about the same topic.
What did not help was a known parody account, @ballsacksports, putting up a post on Twitter iterating the same thing.
Nikola Jokic has been suspended for Game 5 vs the Suns.
Jokic shoved a fan who happened to be Suns Owner Mat Ishbia. pic.twitter.com/sp2vOvyTFI
— Ballsack Sports (@BallsackSports) May 8, 2023
Now according to the NBA rules, Jokic should have been ejected at max for his actions tonight. He was issued a Techincal Foul for the same.
TNT broadcasters just asked: Will Nikola Jokic be suspended for Game 5?
Team execs are wondering this too since the rule book says a player should be ejected for entering the stands. Jokic technically just went courtside so there’s room for interpretation. We’ll find out Monday. pic.twitter.com/8jBYdKgSOy
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 8, 2023
We’ll have to wait and see what the NBA rules on the same. I think the league will not suspend Jokic for Game 5, but will issue him a fine for his actions. At the same time, they might penalize Suns’ owner Mat Ishbia too.
Mike Malone addressed the situation
After the game, Nuggets’ Head Coach Mike Malone talked to the press. There, he was asked about the technical and the whole play. Malone said,
“I think it’s crazy that Nikola [Jokic] got a technical foul… He’s going to get the ball and some fan is holding onto the ball like he wants to be apart of the game.”
MaloneIshbi pic.twitter.com/vZmCpw6t4K
— James Burnes (@JamesBurnes8) May 8, 2023
When he was told that the fan was Suns’ Owner Mat Ishbia, Malone replied and said, “I don’t give a sh*t”
To see Malone stand up for his star here is very important. Because of the whole situation and it also being Ishbia’s fault, the league should not suspend Nikola Jokic for Game 5.
