MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Minnesota Timberwolves forward-center Julius Randle have been fined by the NBA after a late-game scuffle in the Wolves’ Game 4 win over the Nuggets.
Now the series heads back to Denver, where the Timberwolves can eliminate the Nuggets on Monday night in Game 5.
Game 5 is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT Monday at Ball Arena in Denver. The game will air nationally on TNT.
Denver is favored by around 11 points at most major sportsbooks.
The line comes after Minnesota lost Anthony Edwards to a knee injury and Donte DiVincenzo to a torn Achilles in Game 4.
NBA Fines Jokic, Randle
The NBA announced Monday that Jokic was fined $50,000 and Randle was fined $35,000 for their roles in an on-court altercation during Minnesota’s 112-96 win Saturday at Target Center.
With 1.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Jokic confronted and shoved Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, according to the NBA. The league said Randle escalated the incident by forcefully entering the scrum and shoving Nuggets guard-forward Bruce Brown.
Jokic and Randle were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game.
Wolves Can Close Out Nuggets
Game 5 arrives with Minnesota leading the first-round playoff series 3-1. The Wolves can advance to the second round with a win, while Denver is trying to keep its season alive.
Saturday’s win gave Minnesota control of the series, but it also left the Wolves short-handed.
Edwards is expected to miss multiple weeks with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee. DiVincenzo is out for the season with a torn right Achilles tendon.
A Rivalry Gets Hotter
The late-game scuffle added another layer to a matchup that has increasingly felt like a real rivalry.
Timberwolves forward Naz Reid told The Athletic after the game that the Wolves and Nuggets have “been going at it” for years and that the series has become more intense each season.
Minnesota pulled away in the second half of Game 4, outscoring Denver 62-42 after halftime.
The Wolves also slowed Jokic after his hot start. The Nuggets star opened the game 6-for-10 from the field, but went 2-for-12 the rest of the way as Minnesota’s defense took over.
What Comes Next
Game 5 gives the Nuggets a chance to extend their season, while the Timberwolves have their first chance to finish the series.
Minnesota is one win from advancing, but it will try to do it on the road, without two starting guards, and against a Denver team that is now heavily favored to keep the series alive.
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