Denver Nuggets’ star center Nikola Jokic was issued an unsportsmanlike technical foul during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal against the Phoenix Suns after shoving Suns owner Mat Ishbia to the ground in a viral video
The incident occurred late in the second quarter when Jokic pushed Ishbia during a stoppage in play. The altercation happened after Ishbia refused to give Jokic the ball.
Nikola Jokic is typically known for his easy-going and laidback personality, but he let his frustration get the best of him during the heated playoff matchup. Despite the altercation, the Suns managed to hold off the Nuggets and clinch the series 4-0.
Ishbia, who recently purchased the Suns earlier this season, had previously expressed confidence in his team’s ability to come back from their 2-0 deficit against the Nuggets.
Watch Nikola Jokic pushes Suns owner Mat Ishbia to the ground during game 4, fight video goes viral
Should Nikola Jokic receive more punishment for the elbow on Suns owner Mat Ishbia?
Or did Ishbia flop? 🧐pic.twitter.com/pvqagkNc83
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 8, 2023
During an appearance on “The Bill Simmons Podcast” before Game 3, Ishbia said, “Hey, you know, we’re working hard, I feel good about our team. Obviously, Denver’s a great team. I feel good about our guys, I know coach Monty Williams and the whole team is ready to go Friday night. Hopefully, we can bounce back and protect home court and win a game or two.”
Ishbia’s confidence in his team was ultimately rewarded, as the Suns went on to sweep the Nuggets in the series, securing their spot in the Western Conference Finals.
Ishbia talks vision for the Suns and dedication to winning in podcast interview
In his interview on “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Ishbia also spoke about the reception he had received from Suns fans and staff members since purchasing the team. “People have been very grateful to me, and I’m grateful to them that they’ve welcomed me to The Valley and the Phoenix area,” Ishbia said. “You know, with the past ownership, a lot of things happened. I wasn’t there obviously, so I told the guys and gals at the company we’re going forward.”
Ishbia outlined his vision for the team and expressed his dedication to winning. “I’m much closer to the fans than I am to the owners, like, I just want to win. So whatever it takes to win, we’re gonna do what it takes to win. And you can’t win every single year, you can’t win every game, but we’re gonna try.”
The Suns will now face off against the winner of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference Finals. The Suns will look to continue their impressive playoff run and clinch their first NBA championship in franchise history.
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