Nuggets' Nikola Jokić Not Suspended for Shoving Suns Governor Mat Ishbia, Fined $25K

The NBA chose not to suspend Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić for Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Phoenix Suns.

Jokić will, however, be fined $25,000. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN first reported the decision.

In the wake of Denver's 129-124 loss to Phoenix in Game 4 on Sunday, fans were left to wonder about the status of the team's best player.

During the second quarter, Jokić went to grab the ball from Suns governor Mat Ishbia for an inbounds play. Ishbia initially didn't let go and then fell somewhat theatrically backward when Jokić nudged him aside to retrieve the ball after it caromed further into the crowd.

The referees handed the two-time MVP a technical foul for pushing Ishbia, but it wasn't clear whether that would be the extent of his punishment. Even going by the letter of the law, the circumstances didn't necessarily leave a suspension as the only course of action.

For one, Ishbia got up from his seat in the front row, so Jokić could argue he didn't enter the stands. Some also thought Ishbia was the instigator since his holding on to the ball sparked the incident.

"[Crew chief Tony Brothers] told me I was elbowing the fan," Jokić told reporters. "But the fan put a hand on me first. I thought the league's supposed to protect us or whatever, but maybe I'm wrong. So, we will see."

Ishbia's status as a team governor couldn't be divorced from the situation, either.

"Suspending Jokić because of a little shove of the Suns owner would open the league up to allegations of favoritism toward the Suns in a way that would be much harder to sidestep than if Jokić had pushed a regular fan," The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski wrote.

No matter what the NBA decided, it was bound to upset a segment of fans.

Casual viewers would be disappointed if Jokić missed such an important playoff game, while Krawczynski referenced the sense of injustice the Nuggets would feel.

By not suspending Jokić, the league opened itself up to criticism for what could be perceived as an uneven penalty scale. Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green was suspended one game for stepping on Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis, and Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray got a one-game ban for making inappropriate contact with a referee. Why would Jokić's be a special case?

One thing nobody can dispute is the 28-year-old's value to the top seed in the Western Conference. He's averaging 30.8 points, 13.1 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game this postseason.

Jokić will need to continue that production in Game 5 on Tuesday for Denver to regain its series lead.