During Game 4 of the NBA Playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokić got into a tussle with Suns’ governor Mat Ishbia that led to a fine.
While the two of them worked it out before Game 5, there was a new incident late in that contest that involved Jokić. This time, he got into a brief back-and-forth with Phoenix superstar Kevin Durant.
Late in the game, which was won by the Nuggets 118-102, the Suns were huddled up trying to figure out a play. Several of Denver’s players were crowding the huddle and Durant wasn’t happy about it. When Jokić approached, Durant reached out and tried to push him away, which the Nuggets star took as an opportunity to flop wildly, drawing a technical foul on the Suns.
"(Kevin) Durant's not that strong… a lot of flopping in this series." 🏀🎙️😂 pic.twitter.com/wm5hozwWTP
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 10, 2023
It was pretty childish and silly, but then again, so are so many fouls like this in the NBA.
Naturally, the NBA world had some thoughts on the exaggerated reaction that Jokić had to the push.
Joker got even with Ishbia on and off the court https://t.co/gz8RPXWANC
— Alec Gwin (@alecgwin) May 10, 2023
What a casual jab at KD's leanness. https://t.co/VX8Q910LOZ
— ParoxiWife (@ParoxiWife) May 10, 2023
This league is so soft https://t.co/wcaJUel3kE
— Eric Cain (@_Cainer) May 10, 2023
Someone took notes from Matt Ishbia. Lol cmon https://t.co/vP1IKId7Qc
— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) May 10, 2023
Jokić got the last laugh as the Nuggets now lead the series 3-2 and can close things out in Game 6, which takes place on Thursday in Phoenix. The winner of the series moves on to the Western Conference Finals.
