Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Nikola Jokic shares pregame laugh with Suns owner after incident

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 5/9/23

Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic shared a laugh with Phoenix Suns Matt Ishbia before Game 5 of their second-round playoff series on Tuesday night, putting an end to their Game 4 controversy.

Following Denver's pregame warmup, Jokic walked off to Ishbia and handed him a basketball, which was followed by the two sharing a laugh and a hug.

Have a look.

Nikola Jokic walked up to Mat Ishbia, tossed him a ball and gave him a hug. That’s a perfect way for this little controversy to end.
pic.twitter.com/UQKthFGX6T
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) May 10, 2023

The two were involved in a Game 4 altercation when Jokic was assessed a technical foul for shoving Ishbia after the ball went out of play. Ishbia held on to the ball for an extended period of time and then made contact with Jokic. That prompted Jokic to give the Suns' new owner a shove, knocking him back into his seat.

Nikola Jokic shoves Suns owner Mat Ishbia. pic.twitter.com/C3xVv4Vg4j
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 8, 2023

There was a question of whether or not Jokic would be suspended for Game 5 of the series, but the NBA opted not go in that direction.

This is funny way for the whole thing to end. Obviously players and fans cannot have that sort of contact, and there is a fine line that can lead to series issues that put both player and spectator in danger. Fortunately it never reached that level, and now everybody can share a laugh about it.

The Suns won Game 4 to even the series at two games apiece. Jokic not being suspended is a significant development as he is not only the Nuggets' best player, but also one of the best players in the entire NBA.

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