DENVER — Nikola Jokic and Mat Ishbia had one other courtside encounter earlier than Tuesday night time’s Recreation 5 — however this time it was the Denver Nuggets star handing a basketball over to the Phoenix Suns‘ proprietor with a pleasant handshake and a heat embrace.
As Jokic walked off the ground following his pregame warmup, he made his method over to the place Ishbia was sitting courtside. Jokic held a basketball out earlier than playfully tossing it to Ishbia. The 2 shook palms and Jokic embraced Ishbia, patting him on the again.
On Monday, Jokic was fined $25,000 for his slight push of the Suns’ proprietor in Sunday’s Recreation 4 whereas making an attempt to retrieve the ball within the crowd. Jokic was assessed a technical foul through the recreation for “intentionally” shoving Ishbia, in accordance with crew chief Tony Brothers.
Jokic defined after the Suns’ Recreation 4 win that Ishbia held the basketball when Jokic was making an attempt to do what he usually does: seize the ball and attempt to inbound it shortly in hopes of a Nuggets benefit. Jokic additionally stated Ishbia put his palms on him first, which led to Jokic’s nudge again.
Ishbia, for his half, tweeted Monday that he did not wish to see Jokic disciplined for his position within the incident, writing, “Suspending or fining anybody over final nights incident wouldn’t be proper. I’ve alot of respect for Jokic and do not wish to see something like that.”
“I imply it is previous information now,” Denver coach Michael Malone stated earlier than Recreation 5, when requested about Jokic being fined $25,000.
