Getty Image / Christian Petersen
The Phoenix Suns were able to hold off the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 to tie up the series.
However, the NBA world was buzzing after Nikola Jokic seemed to have shoved Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
The word “shoved” should be taken lightly though, as it didn’t look all that forceful. Even so, Ishbia fell back into his seat and waved his arms.
It led to Jokic receiving a technical foul. But fans across the league are debating whether or not the Suns’ owner flopped on the sideline.
Here is the incident in question. Nikola Jokic kind of gets into it with the fans on the sideline before you see Mat Ishbia fall into his seat.
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
The way Ishbia waves his arms looks just like when a basketball player flops on the court. Even so, the refs gave Jokic a tech, which helped the Suns out tremendously.
It also didn’t help that Mat Ishbia sort of prevented Nikola Jokic from initially grabbing the ball. It was a weird situation all around.
But even Devin Booker seemed thankful for the incident, as it basically led to a “free point.”
“He got us a point. He did his job over there.”
Devin Booker on Nikola Jokic shoving Suns owner Mat Ishbia 😂
(via @TrevorMBooth) pic.twitter.com/w4vLcEvNL9
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 8, 2023
With that said, here’s what NBA fans had to say about the shove and possible flop.
Suns owner flopped
— Anthony Perez (@APFromNY) May 8, 2023
You can say that again.
He should’ve just gave the ball up and Jokic wouldn’t of had to push him
— JoshJconn (@JoshConnolly69) May 8, 2023
The league should hand this award out and whoever wins it should receive a fine or something.
He actually might beat Lebron for flop of the year
— Robert Ray (@RobertRayMusic) May 8, 2023
This is quite an overreaction.
Jokic should be suspended for the rest of the series
— TJ Barker (@realTJBarker) May 8, 2023
Is Mat Ishbia an instigator?
He totally flopped. What on earth was he doing trying to rip the ball out of Jokic hands anyway?
— Seth Pascale (@sethpascale) May 8, 2023
Overall, it was a bit of an ugly situation. It’s just not something you want to see during a basketball game.
Maybe the league should consider placing some sort of barrier between the court and the players. It could really save a ton of headaches for everyone.