Strahinja Jokić, brother of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, appeared to punch a fan during an altercation in the stands at Ball Arena shortly after Game 2 of the Nuggets’ first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.
The NBA confirmed to The Athletic that it is looking into an alleged altercation between Strahinja and the fan. The Nuggets have not responded to a request for a comment, but are actively looking into the altercation.
In the video circulating on social media, Strahinja and his brother, Nemanja, approach two men a row below them in the stands. Strahinja appears to throw a right-handed punch that connected with the fan’s chin. After being hit, words were exchanged between the two parties before the fan headed for the exit.
The NBA is well aware of the Jokić brothers’ history with physical altercations and conflict, both in NBA spaces and otherwise, and the question now is whether they’ll be compelled to take action.
Strahinja Jokić was arrested for allegedly choking and pushing a woman during a domestic dispute on Sept. 26, 2019, when he was accused of second-degree assault and two misdemeanors by the Denver District Attorney’s Office. According to the Denver Post, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of obstruction of phone service and felony trespassing in February of 2020. The other charges were reportedly dismissed.
The Jokić brothers are no strangers to fisticuffs, as they famously feuded with the Morris twins, NBA players Marcus and Markieff Morris, back in November 2021. After Nikola Jokić shoved Markieff (then with the Miami Heat) which resulted in a one-game suspension, his brothers sent a stern warning on social media in response to tweets from Markieff and Marcus about the situation.
“You should leave this the way it is instead of publicly threatening our brother!” the tweet from the account @JokicBrothers read. “Your brother made a dirty play first. If you want to make a step further be sure we will be waiting for you !! Jokic Brothers”
Three months later, a video of Strahinja screaming at Phoenix Suns players during an in-game conflict with the Nuggets went viral.
On Monday, Denver went on to win 101-99 on a Jamal Murray game winner over Anthony Davis as time expired. Nikola finished with 27 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. The Nuggets lead the series 2-0.
Required reading
(Photo: Aaron Ontiveroz / The Denver Post / Getty Images)
