The NBA has fined Nikola JokiÄ $50,000 and Julius Randle $35,000 for their roles in a fight between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, but no players were suspended.
Key points
NBA fined Nikola JokiÄ $50,000
Julius Randle fined $35,000
No players suspended after the fight
Investigation overseen by James Jones
Incident occurred between Nuggets and Timberwolves
The NBA announced Sunday, April 26 that Nuggets All-Star center and Most Valuable Player finalist Nikola JokiÄ has been fined $50,000, and Timberwolves forward Julius Randle has been fined $35,000, following a review of the incident.
NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones oversaw the league investigation and levied the fines.
JokiÄâs fine was for initiating the altercation and shoving Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, and Randleâs is for escalating the event by âforcefully inserting himself into the scrumâ and shoving Nuggets guard Bruce Brown.
The NBA conducts its investigations by reviewing footage from inside the arena and speaking to parties involved.
Although the NBA has rules for players drawing automatic suspensions for leaving the bench area during altercations, the league weighs the role those individuals play in any fight. That allowed players like Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, who clearly left the bench area despite not being checked into the game, to avoid a suspension.
Q&A
What fines were issued to players involved in the Nuggets-Timberwolves fight?
Nikola JokiÄ was fined $50,000 and Julius Randle was fined $35,000 for their involvement in the altercation.
Why were no players suspended after the Nuggets-Timberwolves altercation?
The NBA determined that the incident did not warrant suspensions after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the fight.
Who oversaw the investigation into the Nuggets-Timberwolves fight?
NBA executive vice president James Jones oversaw the investigation into the incident.
When did the NBA announce the fines for the Nuggets-Timberwolves fight?
The NBA announced the fines on Sunday, April 26.
Related Articles
NFL·Recap
Every former LSU football player who got picked in 2026 NFL Draft
Seven LSU football stars drafted in 2026 NFL Draft, led by Mansoor Delane at No. 6.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Carlos Mendoza struggles to describe Mets' offensive slump: 'Itâs just not a good showing'
Carlos Mendoza struggles to explain Mets' offensive slump after doubleheader loss.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Mike Tomlin breaks silence on retirement from Steelers
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
The fight started with just 1.3 seconds left in Game 4, an eventual 112-96 Timberwolves victory Saturday, April 25, when the outcome was already decided. But the Timberwolves, looking to burn the clock, tossed the ball up to forward Jaden McDaniels. Rather than dribble it out for the end of the game, McDaniels put up an uncontested layup to push Minnesotaâs lead to 16 points.
JokiÄ took exception to the layup and rushed over from half court to confront McDaniels, eventually getting in McDanielsâ face and shoving him.
McDaniels grabbed JokiÄ by the jersey as the two got tangled up, leading to teammates and assistants getting in between the pair to break it up. The incident took place right in front of the Timberwolvesâ bench.
Eventually, both players were separated, and both JokiÄ and Randle were ejected.
âBecause he scored when everybody stopped playing,â JokiÄ said after the game when asked what upset him. âCome on, guys, you saw it, what happened.â
The NBA playoffs bring out more than highâstakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the leagueâs biggest stage.
See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.
Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The shoes of Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
Shoes worn by Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
The Nike Lebron XXIII shoes worn by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) against the Houston Rockets in the first half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, at Crypto.com Arena.
Shoes worn by Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The shoes of Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
1 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The NBA playoffs bring out more than highâstakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the leagueâs biggest stage.
See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.
Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
1 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The NBA playoffs bring out more than highâstakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the leagueâs biggest stage.
See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.
Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
2 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
3 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
4 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
Shoes worn by Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
5 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The Nike Lebron XXIII shoes worn by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) against the Houston Rockets in the first half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, at Crypto.com Arena.
6 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
Shoes worn by Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
7 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
8 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
9 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The altercation, though, somewhat marred what was a physical, hard-fought game, one in which backup Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu dropped a career-high 43 points.
âObviously, I didnât like what McDaniels did,â Nuggets coach David Adelman told reporters after the game. âThe game was over. The game was conceded both ways. In 2026 that stuff just doesnât happen anymore. That stuff happened in the â80s, where teams would continue to score. But thatâs who he is. And so if thatâs what they want to do, thatâs what they want to do. It has nothing to do with the win or the loss.â