The Nuggets had stopped taking part in protection — but Jaden McDaniels had other concepts.
With Minnesota up 110-96 over Denver as the clock wound down in Game 4 on Saturday, the ahead infuriated Nikola Jokic when he added an uncontested layup to Minnesota’s tally.
The rubbish time rating brought on Jokic to instantly run over to the other aspect of the courtroom and confront McDaniels, as he shoved his opponent towards the Minnesota bench.
Tensions were excessive at the finish of Game 4 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves 😳
Both Nikola Jokic and Julius Randle were ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. pic.twitter.com/U7Pg8ULO1J
— ESPN (@espn) April 26, 2026
McDaniels then grabbed maintain of the Serbian’s jersey and from there, a skirmish ensued.
“I don’t regret it, because he scored after everybody stopped playing,” Jokic advised reporters after the recreation.
That sentiment was also echoed by Denver coach David Adelman, whose team is now down 3-1 in the first-round collection.
Nikola Jokic was ejected after confronting Jaden McDaniels about a rubbish time layup on April 25, 2026. Getty Images
The Nuggets Nikola Jokic (15) and Timberwolves’ Julius Randle (30) interact in a scuffle during Game 4 on April 25, 2026. Denver Post via Getty Images
“I didn’t like what McDaniels did,” Adelman said. “The game was over. The game was conceded. In 2026, that stuff just doesn’t happen anymore. That’s something that happens in the ’80s, where teams would continue to score. But that’s who he is.”
Ultimately, Jokic and Julius Randle — who also shoved others during the fracas — were ejected from the contest with 1.3 seconds remaining.
For his half, McDaniels said after the recreation: “Clock still be running. So I’m going to go score.”
Jokic reacts after being ejected during the Nuggets’ Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves. Imagn Images
McDaniels did not apologize for his transfer after the recreation. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It’s not the first time the 25-year-old has acted as an antagonist this collection, as he referred to Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, Tim Hardaway and Cam Johnson as “bad defenders” after his team’s Game 2 win.
The Timberwolves were led on Saturday by a 43-point outburst off the bench from Ayo Dosunmu, but they’ll now be with out Anthony Edwards for several weeks after the All-Star left Game 4 with a knee harm.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Sunday that Edwards averted ligament injury but is set to miss time with a bone bruise and hyperextension.
Minnesota also lost Donte DiVincenzo for the collection and season to a torn Achilles tendon, Charania reported.
However, Gordon has also been restricted by a calf harm for Denver while his teammate Peyton Watson also missed Game 4 with a hamstring pressure.
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