Phoenix – Denver Nuggets first star Nikola Jokic entered into a minor conflict with him Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ashpia.
With just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter of Game 4 At the center of the footprint, Jokic was trying to get a loose ball out of bounds and ran into it with some spectators on the field. As Jokic was trying to retrieve the ball, he shoved a spectator who happened to be Ishbia, who was sitting in the field. Ishbiya slumped to his seat as players and security scrambled to calm nerves.
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Jokic was assessed a technical foul and a nearby fan—who was not the Suns’ owner—was ejected from the arena.
The Phoenix crowd booed Jokic after the skirmish on the court.
“He laid his hand on me first,” said Jokic. “I thought the league was supposed to protect us. Maybe I’m wrong. I know who he is, but he’s a fan. Right?”
Nuggets coach Michael Malone said, “(Jokic) is going to get the ball and some of the fans are holding on to the ball like he wants to be a part of the game. Just give up the ball, man.”
Eshpia told The Associated Press at halftime that he was “fine” and more concerned about the game than the ruckus. He returned to his usual seats in the second half.
Ishbia bought the majority stake The Suns and Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA earlier this year for $4 billion.
Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared in the USA TODAY: Nikola Jokic and Matt Ichpia clash on the court during Game 4