“I thought the NBA was supposed to protect us, but maybe I’m wrong,” said Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, who could face a suspension after slightly jostling the Suns owner in the middle of a game. playoffs on Sunday.
The incident occurred shortly before the break of this meeting finally won by Phoenix (129-124), when the Serbian giant tried to get the ball out of bounds, to perform a quick throw-in.
But a spectator, who was none other than Mat Ishbia, the owner of the Suns, inherited the ball in his hands, after the player of his team Josh Okogie failed to save it. The manager didn’t want to let Jokic take the ball.
In the aftermath, the Serb pushed Ishbia away who had just touched him and somewhat exaggerated his fall in his chair. The double MVP 2021 and 2022 then received a technical foul.
“The referee told me I had nudged the fan, but he put his hands on me first,” Jokic defended after the game.
“Someone sitting on the edge of the pitch is a fan, right? He cannot influence the game by holding the ball. They won’t protect me as a player? They will protect the fan? I think we’re supposed to protect the players. They will say what they want, but he should have been expelled from the room”, he chained.
Referee Tony Brothers explained that the Nuggets center was penalized for “deliberately shoving and pushing down” the spectator. Asked as to why he didn’t rule it out, the referee argued that Jokic ‘didn’t hit’ the person.
The incident could have adverse consequences for Jokic, such as a suspension. But after his 53 points scored, certainly in vain in this game, his absence would be a huge blow for Denver, which will host Phoenix on Tuesday, the two teams being tied 2-2 in their Western Conference semi-final.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone did not fail to take offense, saying he found it “crazy” that Jokic was sanctioned. “He went for the ball and a fan grabbed the ball, wanting to be part of the game. Just let the ball go, man,” he said.
When told it was the owner of the Suns, Malone replied, “I don’t give a damn.”
