Suns owner Mat Ishbia doesn't want Jokic to be sanctioned for elbowing him / News - Basketnews.com

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who engaged in an altercation with Nikola Jokic during Phoenix-Nuggets Game 4, said he wouldn't want the Serbian big man to be suspended or fined.

Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP Credit Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

Nikola Jokic received a technical foul for making contact withPhoenix Sunsowner Mat Ishbia on Sunday night, with 2:36 left in the first half of Game 4 between Phoenix and the Denver Nuggetsfor the Western Conference semifinal series.

Player of the Game EFF 40 Devin Booker Points 36 Accuracy 14-18 Rebounds 6 Assists 12

With Denver leading 55-54, Suns forward Josh Okogie flew toward the courtside seats across from the Suns bench, where Ishbia was sitting. Jokic headed into the crowd to retrieve the ball and jump-start the Nuggets' next possession when he made contact with Ishbia.

As Jokic tried to take the ball from the Suns' owner, Jokic's elbow connected with Ishbia's chest resulting in the latter falling back into his seat. Then, referee crew chief Tony Brothers determined the shove to be intentional.

So far, there has been no indication as to whether Jokic might be suspended or fined.

A few hours after the incident, Ishbia came forward saying he does not want Jokic to be suspended or fined over their altercation. Ishbia took to Twitter on Monday morning to address the situation.

"Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far! That should be and is the only story," Ishbia tweeted.

"Suspending or fining anyone over last night's incident would not be right. I have a lot of respect for Jokic and don't want to see anything like that. Excited for game 5! Go Suns!"

The Suns won 129-124 on Sunday to even the series at 2-2.

Jokic defended his actions after a game in which he had 53 points and 11 assists.

"The fan put the hand on me first," Jokic explained. "I thought the league was supposed to protect us. Maybe I am wrong. I know who he is, but he is a fan. Isn't he?"

Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Jokic was "going to get the ball and some fan is holding on to the ball like he wants to be part of the game."

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