The Denver Nuggets had an eventful fourth quarter in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The star center Nikola Jokic was included in a scuffle with multiple members of the Timberwolves, starting with Jaden McDaniels.
As the game was clearly out of reach for Denver in the final seconds, both teams stopped playing to let the clock run out. However, McDaniels kept playing. After he laid in a basket, Jokic ran to the other end of the floor, which fired up an altercation.
“Because he scored and everybody stopped playing,” Jokic said in response to a question about why he went after McDaniels. “Come on, guys, you saw it, what happened.”
The NBA will hand down fines, with Jokic picking up the biggest one.
NBA Announces Punishment For Nikola Jokic
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 24: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Nuggets defeated the Suns 125-123.
“Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has been fined $50,000 and Minnesota Timberwolves forward-center Julius Randle has been fined $35,000 for their roles in an on-court altercation, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
With 1.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Timberwolves’ 112-96 victory over the Nuggets in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on April 25 at Target Center, Jokić initiated the incident by confronting and shoving Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels. Randle escalated the incident by forcefully inserting himself into the scrum and shoving Nuggets guard-forward Bruce Brown. Jokić and Randle were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game.” via NBA PR
While the $50,000 fine in the mail for Jokic is unfortunate, he might’ve caught a break.
The star center initiated the scuffle, which put him in danger of potentially facing suspension. Fortunately, the NBA didn’t see enough there to issue time off for the three-time MVP.
The Nuggets Need All Hands On Deck
DENVER, COLORADO – APRIL 18: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets plays the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
When the Nuggets return to the court on Monday for Game 5 at home, they are in win-or-go-home mode.
Despite having a big advantage over the Timberwolves in Game 4, after they lost Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards for the night, the Nuggets still came up short with a 112-96 loss.
Both stars will be out of the mix for Monday’s action. Jokic and the Nuggets will have to do everything they can to send the series back to Minnesota for a Game 6.
In four games this series, Jokic has been averaging 25.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. He’s struggling with his shooting, making just 39.1% from the field.