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NBA fines Jokic $50K, Randle $35K after ejections

4/28/2026

Summary

Jokic, Randle Fined

NBA fined Nikola Jokic $50,000 and Julius Randle $35,000 after their ejections in Game 4.
Both Jokic and Randle shoved opponents—Jokic hit Jaden McDaniels and Randle hit Bruce Brown—earning technical fouls.
Both remain eligible for Game 5, though Minnesota will be without Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (torn Achilles).
Bench players such as Aaron Gordon and Jonas Valanciunas were not fined, leaving rosters unchanged.

Summary

Denver Favored

Betting markets list Denver as an 11-point favorite for Game 5, which tips off at 9:30 p.m. CT Monday, broadcast on TNT from Ball Arena in Denver.
NBA rules require an automatic suspension and fine for any player who leaves the bench during an on-court altercation, yet no penalty followed the Game 4 scuffle.
Timberwolves forward Naz Reid told The Athletic that the Nuggets-Timberwolves series has become a genuine rivalry, intensifying each postseason.

History

Historical Context

After the November 19, 2004 ‘Malice at the Palace’ between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons sparked $600,000 in fines and a 73-game suspension for Ron Artest, the NBA instituted strict bench-altercation rules. Those rules now guide the league’s response to Nikola Jokic’s and Julius Randle’s recent fines, reinforcing the same consistent policy framework.

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Jokic, Randle Fined

NBA fined Nikola Jokic $50,000 and Julius Randle $35,000 after their ejections in Game 4.
Both Jokic and Randle shoved opponents—Jokic hit Jaden McDaniels and Randle hit Bruce Brown—earning technical fouls.
Both remain eligible for Game 5, though Minnesota will be without Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (torn Achilles).
Bench players such as Aaron Gordon and Jonas Valanciunas were not fined, leaving rosters unchanged.

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