After being fined $25,000 by the NBA for his now-viral scuffle with Suns owner Mat Ishbia during Game 4 against the Suns, Denver's Nikola Jokić found the perfect way to mend the rift prior to Game 5.
Jokić, who went into the stands to retrieve a loose ball that had bounced out of bounds during Sunday’s Game 4, knocked the ball free from Ishbia, who had caught it. The two-time NBA league MVP slightly shoved the Phoenix owner who fell back into his seat.
Prior to tip-off on Tuesday night, the five-time NBA All-Star made his way over to Ishbia at the conclusion of Denver's warm-up. Ahead of embracing, Jokić jokingly made it a point to hand Ishbia the ball.
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After a handshake and embrace, Jokić immediately headed to the locker room, leaving Ishbia with the ball.
It appears the two have smoothed things over since Sunday’s incident. After the altercation went viral, Ishbia released a statement in support of the Nuggets star, saying in part “Suspending or fining anyone ... would not be right.” Jokić avoided any extended punishment for the push.
Jokić, who scored a career-playoff-high 53 points in the Game 4 loss, will be intent on making sure the Nuggets have the last laugh, starting with Tuesday’s pivotal Game 5.
