When it comes to the unwritten rule of not scoring the basketball when an NBA game is basically settled in the final seconds, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic made his stance clear: let the clock run out.
Minnesota Timberwolves defensive standout Jaden McDaniels has a different approach. If there is time left to go in the game, and he’s got the ball and a clear lane, he’s boosting his stats with an easy basket.
When McDaniels picked himself up an easy two points during the Timberwolves-Nuggets Game 4 battle over the weekend, Jokic lost his cool.
The veteran center flew over to McDaniels to give him a piece of his mind. Tempers flared, and the situation had to be broken up with referees, coaches, and members on the court from both teams.
On Sunday, it was revealed that Nikola Jokic and Julius Randle were fined for their involvement in the dust-up. Fortunately, nobody will be fined for the Game 5 action, which is set to take place on Monday.
Former NBA Players Speak On Jokic’s Risky Decision
GettySALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 1: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets calls a play during the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on April 1, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Ex-NBA player Lou Williams addressed the situation on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back on Monday.
“Jaden McDaniels probably shouldn’t have laid the ball up, but he only laid the basketball up,” Williams said.
“He didn’t dunk, he didn’t do anything flashy, he didn’t get the crowd excited. He took a cheap two, and a lot of people have taken exception to that. I don’t know if this was the play to show them up. Also, if I’m Jaden McDaniels, I’m just going to keep poking the bear.
Obviously, I’m getting under your skin, I got a 3-1 lead, and now ya’ll are ready to fight? Ya’ll could use that as motivation—I’m equally as motivated—I’m ready to fight. I’m ready to hoop, and I’m ready to do whatever ya’ll with, I’m with it, and I’m down for it. I thought it was a lot about nothing. These guys lost some pretty good money yesterday over it, but we got to come to a consensus about who is able to finish plays to end the game. The losing team are the only guys to finish playing?”
Williams clearly didn’t see the situation as a big deal from either perspective. While he doesn’t think that Jokic’s move to enforce an unwritten rule was needed, he doesn’t believe the altercation escalated to concerning levels.
Chandler Parsons Adds His Thoughts
GettyDENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 25: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena on December 25, 2025 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 Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
As for the nine-year NBA veteran Chandler Parsons, he was slightly more critical of Jokic.
“This is completely unacceptable and unprofessional from Jokic,” Parsons added. “I think he gets a pass. He ran completely out of his way into this situation. He made the situation a lot worse than just taking the L.”
At the end of the day, the Nuggets big man landed his punishent in the form of a fine. Jokic had the heftiest fine compared to Randle, getting forced to cough up $50,000 for his involvement.
Now, Jokic can take the opportunity to use the loss and the broken rule as motivation for the win-or-go-home Game 5.