The NBA league office has suspended Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic for one game without pay after leaving the bench during an altercation between teammate Mason Plumlee and Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors that saw both men ejected on Wednesday, according to Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.
There was plenty of speculation regarding the league's decision to suspend him, as the rule has not been enforced by the letter of the law since first being established in 2004.
The league's Executive Vice President Kiki VanDeWegue said “Jokic's close proximity to the altercation and aggressive manner created potential for further escalation of the situation.”
Both Favors and Plumlee were hit with double technical fouls and consequently ejected during the Jazz' 114-108 win over the Nuggets.
Jokic is slated to serve his suspension on Friday, when the Nuggets take of the Phoenix Suns at the Pepsi Center, becoming available again for Saturday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The rule has been keen on flexible interpretation since first established following the Malice at the Palace, which saw nine players facing 146 games of combined suspension — a situation the NBA has tried to avoid at all costs ever since.
Jokic has been having another big season for the Nuggets, averaging 19.8 points per game to go along with 10.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists.
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