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

Watch: Nikola Jokic shoves Suns' owner after confrontation courtside

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/7/23

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was assessed a technical foul after shoving Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia following a heated sideline confrontation during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Near the end of the first half, Suns' Josh Okogie failed to corral a loose ball, which ended up in the lap of Ishbia, seated in the first row. Jokic approached, ripping the ball away from Ishbia before pushing him back with his elbow.

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

While the contact may have looked overly aggressive considering the circumstances, Ishbia embellished a bit, hilariously flopping back into his seat after the push. Another fan seated near Ishbia was involved and later ejected from the game.

Jokic threw his hands in the air innocently after the altercation, but his actions were a little overboard. Perhaps Jokic is still disappointed over not winning a third-straight MVP Award, or maybe he doesn't like Ishbia.

Kidding aside, it's possible Jokic didn't know who Isbhia was or simply didn't recognize him in the heat of the moment. Either way, cooler heads prevailed and following the technical given to Jokic, it's probably the last we'll hear of this beef.

In the future, other NBA owners might want to rethink sitting courtside with Jokic on the floor for safety's sake.

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