Nikola Jokic Reacts to Incident With Phoenix Suns Owner
The NBA always finds a way to find drama. In the second quarter of an incredibly tight Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns, Nikola Jokic found himself in a scuffle with Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
After the game, Jokic broke his silence on the matter when being interviewed by the media. The first thing Jokic was questioned about was why he received a technical for the interaction.
"He told me I was elbowing the fan, but the fan put his hands on me first," Jokic said. "I thought the league is supposed to protect us or whatever. But maybe I'm wrong.”
When Jokic was asked if he knew who the Phoenix Suns owner was, he had a simple answer - he's a fan. The two terms aren't mutually exclusive. Mat Ishbia can both be the Suns' owner and be a fan. Jokic claims that Ishbia influenced the game as a fan by not giving up the ball.
"He is a fan, isn't he," Jokic questioned. "Sitting on the court, he's a fan, isn't he? That doesn't mean whoever it is, he's a fan, he cannot influence the game by holding on the ball."
There's some initial concern among NBA analysts that the league may suspend or fine Jokic for his interaction with Ishbia. In the eyes of the NBA official, Jokic shoved Ishiba - a statement Jokic vehemently disagrees with.
"His hands are on me," Jokic questioned. "They're not going to protect me? They're going to protect the fan? Not me as a person, but I'm talking about as a player. They can do whatever of course, they don't care, but I think you're supposed to protect players."
If anything, Nikola Jokic believes Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia should have been kicked out of the game for his actions. A fan isn't allowed to influence the game, and that's what Ishbia did.
"I think he's supposed to get kicked out if he's influencing the game."
