Game 4 of the NBA playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns took a dramatic turn when Denver big man Nikola Jokic, the league's newly crowned MVP, was dismissed for a major foul in the third quarter with 3:52 remaining. Was fired and the Nuggets were eight points behind the Suns.
Jokic took a wild swing at sans Cameron Payne, hitting Payne in the face as he took a hard swipe to loosen the ball. The foul occurred when Jokic did not receive a call from the one-handed runner as he looked at a referee and pointed it.
Sons star Devin Booker immediately confronted Jokic as the teams scuffled briefly before parting ways.
After being ejected, Jokic appeared to apologize to Payne.
People quickly weighed in on social media, with NBA stars Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies among those who felt the takedown was too harsh, especially in an elimination game. Denver was down 3-0 in the series that entered Sunday night's Game 4, and the Phoenix completed the sweep with a 125-118 decision.
playoffs. elimination game. give him a flagrant 1 and play ball man .
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 14, 2021
A Flagrant 2 ?? Wow.
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) June 14, 2021
They really just kicked this man out the game…!? Wow? #Jokic
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) June 14, 2021
Joker look scary like the real joker lol … like he got a couple hit man the way he look at booker …
— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) June 14, 2021
league soft ..
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 14, 2021
Stiil can’t believe they ejected
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 14, 2021
MVP Jokic for hitting a ball real hard
There were a few who supported the ejection, including New Orleans Saints defensive and Cameron Jordan, who we must point out is from Arizona and a Suns fan.
Get him outta there!!!! Smh hate to see it… 😈 #RallyTheValley
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) June 14, 2021