Nikola Jokic's Brother Allegedly Punches Fan at Nuggets-Lakers Playoff Game

The NBA and Denver police are investigating an incident where Strahinja Jokic, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, allegedly punched a fan in the stands following the Nuggets' 101-99 playoff victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.

Videos shared on social media show Strahinja Jokic climbing over seats at Ball Arena to confront a male spectator, who he then appears to punch in the face.

The altercation occurred just after the Nuggets completed a dramatic comeback win to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series. Nikola Jokic had a dominant performance in the game, recording 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. His other brother, Nemanja Jokic, was also present during the confrontation, following Strahinja as he approached the fan.

The Denver Police Department said in a statement that they are aware of the incident but no one has come forward as a victim at this time. "We are working to identify the person who was struck and encourage anyone who may have been involved or witnessed the incident to contact the Denver Police Department," the statement read.

This is not the first time the Jokic brothers have been involved in heated moments at Nuggets games. Last year during the Western Conference Finals, they heckled actor Jack Nicholson. Strahinja also has a history of legal issues, including a 2019 arrest for allegedly choking and pushing a woman.

Why this matters: The incident raises concerns about player and fan safety at NBA games. It also puts a spotlight on the conduct of players' family members and guests in attendance.

The NBA released a statement saying they are looking to gather more information about the incident. Nikola Jokic did not comment on his brother's actions in his postgame press conference. The series now shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday, where the Lakers will look to get on the board against the top-seeded Nuggets.

Key Takeaways

• Strahinja Jokic, Nikola's brother, allegedly punched a fan at a Nuggets playoff game.
• The incident is under investigation by the NBA and Denver police.
• This is not the first time the Jokic brothers have been involved in heated moments at games.
• The incident raises concerns about player and fan safety at NBA games.
• The series now shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday.