DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots a free throw against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter of the NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on May 14, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
All-star center Nikola Jokic made headlines after getting into a heated altercation with Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels.
With two seconds remaining in Game 4, McDaniels made an uncontested layup to make the score 112-96. This caused Jokic to rush toward McDaniels to confront him about the layup. Things turned south quickly after the Minnesota forward grabbed Jokic’s jersey, leading to an altercation between the two. The benches of both teams were also involved to break up the fight.
Jokic and Julius Randle were both ejected following the fight.
The Nuggets center didn’t regret his actions after Saturday’s game. “I don’t regret it,” Jokic remarked. “Because he scored after everybody stopped playing.” Nuggets coach David Adelman shared a similar viewpoint to his star center. “The game was over,” Adelman told reporters. “The game was conceded both ways. In 2026, that stuff just doesn’t happen anymore. That stuff happened in the 80s, where teams would continue to score.”
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According to NBA rules, players who leave the bench are subject to an automatic suspension of at least one game. This gives the commissioner the final say in potential punishments.
McDaniels wasn’t ejected after the altercation, but he had a different perspective about what happened. “I don’t know what [Jokic] said, to be honest,” said McDaniels. “I just seen someone who was big as hell.” The forward also remarked that he would score if the clock was still running.
“I’m proud of the guys stepping up and fighting for each other, literally and figuratively,” said Timberwolves coach Chris Finch. “I mean, you play each other this many times when things are at stake, it’s just how it goes.”
Jokic dropped 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds Saturday, while McDaniels scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Saturday’s victory puts Minnesota up 3-1 in the series, further putting them in a prime position to win the series if they win Game 5 Monday night.
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