Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has expressed no remorse for his confrontation with Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels during the final moments of Friday's Game 4 defeat. The Timberwolves secured a 112-96 victory in Minneapolis, but the game was marred by a brawl that resulted in the ejections of Jokic and Minnesota forward Julius Randle.
Jokic was incensed when McDaniels scored an uncontested layup with only two seconds remaining in a game that was already decided, prompting the Nuggets star to charge at him. When asked about his actions, Jokic stood firm. 'I don't regret it,' he said, 'because he scored after everybody stopped playing.' He expressed bewilderment over any confusion surrounding the incident, adding, 'Come on, guys, you saw it, what happened.'
Nuggets coach David Adelman echoed Jokic's sentiments, criticizing McDaniels for what he considered unsportsmanlike conduct. 'The game was over,' Adelman stated. 'The game was conceded both ways. In 2026 that stuff just doesn't happen anymore. That stuff happened in the '80s, where teams would continue to score.' He further remarked, 'But that's who [McDaniels] is. And so if that's what they want to do, that's what they want to do. It has nothing to do with the win or the loss.'
McDaniels, however, defended his decision to take the shot. 'Clock still be running,' he told reporters. 'So I'm going to go score.' When asked about being charged by the 6-foot-10, 284-pound Jokic, McDaniels quipped, 'I don't know what [Jokic] said, to be honest. I just seen someone who was big as hell.' McDaniels, who stands 6-foot-9 and weighs 185 pounds, appeared unfazed by the confrontation.
Minnesota coach Chris Finch, a former Denver assistant, praised his team's competitiveness in the hard-fought victory. The Timberwolves managed to win despite losing guard Donte DiVincenzo to a season-ending Achilles injury and franchise cornerstone Anthony Edwards to a serious knee injury. 'I'm proud of the guys stepping up and fighting for each other, literally and figuratively,' Finch said. 'These teams don't like each other — it's no secret. I mean, you play each other this many times when things are at stake … it's just how it goes.'
Edwards is expected to miss at least a few weeks with a bone bruise on his knee, but according to ESPN, he avoided any ligament damage. The Timberwolves can advance to the second round with a victory in Monday's Game 5, while the Nuggets, trailing 3-1, need a win to force Game 6.
As for potential disciplinary actions, the NBA has not yet issued any suspensions. Players who left the bench to join the brawl, as well as Jokic, could face bans, but league rules grant the Commissioner's office discretion to determine appropriate punishments, which may include fines or suspensions.
