Nikola Jokic and Mat Ishbia, Suns Owner, Got in a Tussle

Nikola Jokic was trying to get a loose ball out of bounds with more than two minutes remaining in the second quarter of Game Four at the Footprint Center when he got into a fight with some supporters courtside. While trying to grab the ball, Jokic pushed a spectator, who happened to be Ishbia, who was seated courtside. As players and security attempted to quiet tempers, Ishbia fell to his seat.

Nikola Jokic, The Joker!

Nikola Jokic was assessed a technical foul, and a non-Suns owner supporter was ejected from the arena. The Phoenix audience booed Jokic after the non-court altercation. According to Jokic, the fan put his hand on him first.

Michael Malone, the head coach of the Nuggets, was quoted as saying that Nikola Jokic was going to get the ball, and some fan was holding on to the ball as he wanted to be part of the game. Ishbia assured The Associated Press that he was “fine” and that he was more worried about the game than the argument at the halftime break. In the second half, you might find him seated in his usual seat.

Jokic’s Impressive Career

On July 2022, Nikola Jokic signed an extension to his supermax contract with the Nuggets, making it the richest deal in the history of the NBA. The deal was for a total of $264 million over five years. In the second game of the regular season on October 21st, Nikola Jokic recorded his 77th career triple-double by scoring 26 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists while leading his team to a 128-123 victory over the defending champion Golden State Warriors. In the very next game, Nikola Jokic had another triple-double, this time scoring 19 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and dishing out 13 assists in a 122-117 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. With 78 triple-doubles, Jokic tied Chamberlain for sixth all-time and most by a center.