Nikola Jokić gets called for controversial offensive foul.

Friday’s Game 4 matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat was a crucial one for both teams. In such an important game, nobody wants to see the referees have an impact on the game. But that is exactly what many fans are thinking about this game due to a controversial call on Nuggets star Nikola Jokić.

Jokić is obviously as crucial to the Nuggets’ success as anyone. A call in the fourth quarter by head official Scott Foster led to the two-time MVP sitting for a crucial part of the game.

He was called for his fifth foul of the game by Foster with 9:41 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was seemingly very questionable, and more likely than not a flop by Adebayo which drew the call.

It ended up being a pretty huge call because it forced Nuggets head coach Mike Malone to take out Jokić for a large portion of the fourth quarter to try and protect him from picking up his sixth and final foul.

For this reason, fans were rightfully upset with the officiating crew, especially Scott Foster. Some even accused Foster of intentionally trying to extend this series in the Heat’s favor.

Jokić didn’t return to the game until 4:09 in the fourth, which could have been absolutely disastrous for them. Fortunately for Nuggets fans, a number of role players had a big fourth quarter, including Bruce Brown and Aaron Gordon.

The Nuggets maintained their lead with Jokić on the bench, and they would ultimately cruise to a 108-95 victory to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

[Harrison Wind on Twitter] Photo Credit: ABC

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.