Nikola Jokić was ejected from Saturday's playoff game after confronting Jaden McDaniels, who made a provocative layup in the final seconds of the Minnesota Timberwolves' 112-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets. With the game already decided, McDaniels chose to score rather than run out the clock, prompting Jokić to run from half-court and initiate a shoving match.
“I don’t regret it,” Jokić said of his actions. “Because he scored after everybody stopped playing.” The Nuggets centre was ejected along with Julius Randle, who joined the altercation. McDaniels had earlier called Jokić and his teammates “bad defenders” during the series, which the Timberwolves now lead 3-1.
Nuggets coach David Adelman criticised McDaniels' decision, stating, “The game was over. The game was conceded. In 2026, that stuff just doesn’t happen anymore.” Despite the controversy, Ayo Dosunmu was the standout performer for Minnesota, scoring 43 points off the bench—the highest playoff total by a reserve in 50 years.
Dosunmu shot 13 of 17 from the field, including 5 of 5 from three-point range, and made all 12 free throws. Jamal Murray led Denver with 30 points, while Jokić added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. The Nuggets struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 6 of 27 attempts.
The Timberwolves, however, face injury concerns. Anthony Edwards left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the series and much of the next round if Minnesota advances. Donte DiVincenzo also exited with a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon, likely ending his season.
Game 5 is scheduled for Monday night in Denver, where the Nuggets will look to extend the series. “I expect us to have a great effort,” Adelman said. “I really trust our two best players will find a rhythm.”
