Nikola Jokić and Jaden McDaniels were ejected from an NBA playoff game after a confrontation in the final seconds. The incident occurred after McDaniels scored a layup, prompting Jokić to react angrily.
Key points
Nikola Jokić and Jaden McDaniels ejected from playoff game
Incident occurred with 1.3 seconds left in Game 4
McDaniels scored a layup to extend Timberwolves' lead
Jokić confronted McDaniels over the layup
Timberwolves had already lost two players to injury
Nikola JokićJaden McDanielsMinnesota TimberwolvesDenver Nuggets
Nikola Jokić, Jaden McDaniels ejected after fracas in NBA playoff game
It started with just 1.3 seconds left in Game 4, 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 Minnesota’s lead to 16 points.
Denver Nuggets All-Star center and NBA Most Valuable Player finalist Nikola Jokić took exception to the layup and rushed over from half court to confront McDaniels, eventually getting in McDaniels’ face.
McDaniels grabbed Jokić 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 Timberwolves’ bench.
Eventually, both players were separated, and both Jokic and McDaniels were ejected.
The Timberwolves won the game, 112-96, taking a 3-1 lead over Denver in the first-round playoff series.
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
Q&A
What led to Nikola Jokić's ejection in the playoff game?
Nikola Jokić was ejected after confronting Jaden McDaniels over an uncontested layup in the final seconds of the game.
How did Jaden McDaniels contribute to the game before his ejection?
Jaden McDaniels scored an uncontested layup to extend the Timberwolves' lead to 16 points just before the game ended.
What were the circumstances surrounding the emotional playoff game?
The game was tense, with the Timberwolves having lost two players to injury, which likely contributed to the heightened emotions.
What impact does this ejection have on the NBA playoffs?
The ejection of two key players like Jokić and McDaniels could significantly affect their teams' performance in the ongoing playoffs.
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A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
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Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
The NBA has strict rules about players who are not actively playing in a game leaving the bench area during altercations. Players who do leave the bench are subject to an automatic suspension of at least one game. Fines are also factored into the discipline for leaving the bench.
Initial video of the incident Saturday night showed that Nuggets star forward Aaron Gordon left the bench in an attempt to break it up.
