JJ Redick wasn’t pulling his punches when he called out Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia after the latter’s altercation with Nikola Jokic during Game 4 of the second-round playoff skirmish against the Suns.
Speaking on his podcast The Old Man & the Three, “I don’t think [Jokic] should be suspended,” he said. “I think it was bull**** what Ishbia did. I think it would be if any fan did that. Jokic was not the instigator. Give the f*****g players the ball. You’re not part of the game.”
.@jj_redick weighs in on the interaction between Nikola Jokić and Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
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That said, Redick added that he understood Ishbia’s actions, while also labeling that fans were never a part of the game. And on his part, the owner had a rather surprising stance when he said suspension or fines for anyone over the incident would be unfair.
For now, there is no clarity on whether the league will indeed suspend Jokic over the incident. If they do, it is indeed a massive blow for the Nuggets, who head into Game 5 with the series tied 2-2.
Nikola Jokic Unlikely To Be Suspended Says Brian Windhorst
NBA insider Brian Windhorst believed that Nikola Jokic wouldn’t be suspended. “Talking to folks last night, my feel is we are looking at the possibility of a fine both ways,” he said on Get Up. “Because regardless of [Ishbia’s] coming up into Jokic’s space, you can’t put your hands on a fan.”
In the meantime, Jokic was clearly upset with the way the events panned out. “He told me I was elbowing the fan, but the fan put their hand on me first. I thought the league is supposed to protect us, or whatever. Maybe I am wrong, so we’ll see… I know who he is, but he’s a fan,” Jokic said postgame.
A suspension will surely dampen the whole outlook of the series, and not to forget, will drastically boost the Suns’ chances of making the next round. Will this decision change the course of the season for the Nuggets? Only time will tell.
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