Skip to content

Jokic receives tech after shoving Suns owner Ishbia in Game 4 loss

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic was assessed an unsportsmanlike technical foul in the second quarter of Sunday's Game 4 for shoving Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia on the sideline.

The Nuggets star appeared to shove Ishbia with his forearm after the owner refused to give him the basketball to inbound. Ishbia then fell backward.

"The fan put their hand on me first. I thought the league is supposed to protect us," Jokic said after the game, according to Katy Winge of AltitudeTV. "Whoever he is, he's a fan, he can't interfere with the game."

Jokic added that he was trying to retrieve the ball and take advantage of a potential five-on-four situation because Suns wing Josh Okogie had fallen to the ground on the baseline, per Winge.

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone called it "crazy" that Jokic was assessed a technical foul for the shove, according to Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports.

"Going to get the ball, and some fan is holding onto the ball who wants be a part of the game. Just give the ball up, man," Malone said.

Booker poked fun at the Ishbia incident following the contest, noting that the Suns made the free throw.

"He got us a point!" Booker told reporters, including ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "He did his job."

Jokic finished the game with a career-high 53 points, along with 11 assists. The Suns beat the Nuggets 129-124 to even the series.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox