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Nikola Jokic reacted with a look of surprise when informed a potential suspension could come his way by having stepped onto the court during a scuffle between Denver Nuggets teammate Mason Plumlee and Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors.
“I was not on the court. I mean, I cannot step? I was not even close,” said Jokic, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. “If they’re going to fine me, they’re going to fine me, but I did not do nothing.”
The Nuggets aren't known to be involved in many brawls in today's era, which likely has kept Jokic ignorant to this rule for a while, especially considering he's a starter and takes the floor more-so than not.
The video shows Jokic putting a foot on the court, which by rule would be ground for suspension, thought the league office has ruled inconsistently in this matter for a few years now.
Derrick Favors and Mason Plumlee were ejected after sparking an altercation on the court following a foul on the floor.
Nikola Jokic came off the bench and down the baseline, but didn’t get involved. pic.twitter.com/2QnsvjcEpA
— ESPN (@espn) January 24, 2019
The NBA put the rule in place in hopes to keep potential altercations from escalating and turning into all-out brawls since the infamous Malice at the Palace took place in 2004, which saw nine players suspended for a total of 146 games — the biggest collective ban in league history.
Jokic got as close to within a few feet of the two players, which could result in a small one-to-two-games suspension, but it would be tough to prove intent, given a clean history of conduct throughout his few years in the league.
Yet stranger things have happened by means of the league office.
Stay tuned for more updates at ClutchPoints.
