The NBA isn’t suspending Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic for Game 5 against the Phoenix Suns.
The league announced Monday that it fined Jokic $25,000 for his slight push of Suns owner Mat Ishbia in Game 4 while trying to retrieve the ball in the crowd, but he’ll be available to play Tuesday night in Denver with the series tied 2-2.
Jokic was assessed a technical foul in the second quarter of Game 4 on Sunday night when he tried to snatch the ball from Ishbia, who was sitting courtside, and hit the Suns’ owner with an elbow.
The fracas began when Suns guard Josh Okogie crashed into the seats while trying to save a loose ball. He landed in a group of fans on the baseline that included Ishbia, who held the basketball.
Jokic was trying to get the ball quickly — apparently so the Nuggets could start their offensive possession — when he attempted to grab it from Ishbia. The ball flew backward into the crowd, then Ishbia was knocked backward by Jokic’s elbow.
Jokic defended his actions after a game in which he had 53 points and 11 assists.