The Western Conference Semifinal matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns has been heating up with more debates regarding penalties and suspensions. Following an incident with Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia on the court during Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Nikola Jokic, the star center for the Denver Nuggets, finds himself in the middle of a controversy.

Since Jokic is known for his cool-headed and collected approach on the court, the incident left many fans and experts in a state of shock. Later, Jokic made an honest admission following game 5.

Nikola Jokic got into an altercation

Jokic had a career-high 53 points and 11 assists in the game 4 of the playoffs, but it was the interaction with Ishbia that grabbed the public’s attention. It was a tight game. When the ball went out of bounds with little over two minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Nuggets had a one-point edge. The player went to grab the ball that had landed near the courtside seats late in the second quarter.

A few spectators gathered around Nikola Jokic as he attempted to recover the ball from the courtside. The owner of the Phoenix Suns, Mat Ishbia had caught the ball, hoping to return it to the player. However, the player lost his cool amidst the crowd.

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The angry Serbian center reached out and pushed a fan aside in the heat of the moment. The fan was none other than Ishbia.

Read More: Nikola Jokic’s Altercation With 5.1 Billion Worth ‘Fan’ Gets an “I Don’t Give a Shit” Reply Sending NBA Twitter Into a Turmoil

Jokic then grabbed the ball out of Ishbia’s hand and gave him a nudge. The Suns’ owner was sent tumbling backward into his seat. Due to his involvement in the brawl, Jokic received a technical foul and faced a potential Game 5 penalty. In accordance with the rules, he could have been suspended for going into the stands. However, it seems as if Ishbia didn’t want to make matters worse. He took to Twitter to sort things out.

Jokic makes a confession

Mat Ishbia took to Twitter to sort out the altercation that started on the court. He tweeted, “Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far! That should be and is the only story. Suspending or fining anyone over last nights incident would not be right. I have alot of respect for Jokic and don’t want to see anything like that. Excited for game 5! Go Suns!”

Partly owing to this, Nikola Jokic was able to play in Game 5. However, he had to pay a fine of $25,000. As for his altercation with Mat Ishbia, the duo put the incident behind them by shaking hands and embracing each other before game 5. Jokic also appeared On TNT’s “Inside The NBA” program, where he continued to show off his distinctive wit and humor. He discussed the pre-game handshake with Mat Ishbia.

Jokic offered an amicable reconciliation. He said, “I will do the same thing if it’s anybody else in the Phoenix … That’s what I like to do… Keep the game going. I just wanted to make fun at least a little bit. And I was hoping he’s gonna pay my fine, but nah!”

Nikola Jokic then made his honest admission following game 5 in a post-game interview. The player was asked, “Is this how it works? You give Mat Ishbia a basketball and he pays your fines?.” This question was in reference to the comment he had made on ‘Inside The NBA.’ It made the player laugh. However, he honestly responded to the question without taking it personally.