Jaden McDaniels and Nikola Jokic made it about themselves at the end of Game 4 when the latter took offense to the former's last-second shot.
The Denver Nuggets superstar felt that it was disrespectful as the game was already settled and proceeded to confront the Timberwolves forward.
The Serbian was seen grabbing at McDaniels' jersey and exchanging quite a few words before teammates, staff, and officials had to intervene and separate them.
Imma put a hit on him. I ain't going to lie, I have put a hit on guys. If we're down 20, you don't do it. If a team is up on me 20 points and a guy shoots a 3, Imma say, '$500 to somebody to knock the hell out of him.' I've done that before. I'm proud of it too. If you shoot that ball, we're going to get you!
Charles Barkley saidThe Hall of Famer's Inside the NBA colleague, Shaquille O'Neal, did not agree and felt that had it been him, he would have tried to embarrass his opponents by performing a windmill dunk.
Charles Barkley, on the other hand, felt that once the game is beyond settled, which in this case was as the Wolves were up by double-digits, it is seen as a sign of disrespect.
He believes that McDaniels broke the gentleman's rule. If it were up to him, the 'Round Mound of Rebound' would have paid someone to take care of the said player.
Barkley has already called out the Wolves star for his recent comments that sounded disrespectful to the Nuggets. But this, according to the former league MVP, was a step taken too far.
That Jaden McDaniels-Nikola Jokic scuffle to end Game 4 saw the Serbian superstar and Julius Randle getting technical fouls and being tossed from the floor. Just 1.3 seconds remained, which meant neither could impact the score.
However, after the game, it was understood that the league would review the incident. The NBA has made it a point to add further punishments if it deems an incident requires them.
Through their official communications page, the league announced that they have slapped a $50K fine on Jokic and a $35K fine on Julius Randle, while McDaniels avoids a penalty.
That is because the latter did not act aggressively or try to continue the scuffle. Instead, the Nuggets star was the one who ran up the court and grabbed McDaniels to start the entire situation.
Randle initially tried to separate the two, but then lost his cool and was seen pushing and shoving both Jokic and Nuggets guard Bruce Brown.
Thankfully, the league did not go further than this and issue suspensions. With the Timberwolves' injury troubles, the last thing they would want is to lose one of their best players for Game 5.
With a 3-1 series lead, one would expect the Minnesota Timberwolves to coast to an easy first-round playoff series win. But Shaquille O'Neal threw caution to the wind.
It's a must-win for Minnesota.
Shaquille O'Neal saidIt's a must-win for Minnesota.
Last season, the injury bug hit Eastern Conference teams throughout the postseason. This time, it seems it is the turn of those contending in the West.
After Kevin Durant, Victor Wembanyama, and the Los Angeles Lakers' duo, it was the turn of Donte DiVincenzo, who left Game 4 early after tearing his Achilles tendon.
Then, his partner-in-crime, Anthony Edwards, injured his knee and is likely out for a while. Keeping that in mind, and the late-game fiasco, O'Neal warned that the Nuggets could use this opportunity to turn the series on its head. That is why the Wolves cannot take Game 5 casually.
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