Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is going to be a little bit lighter in the wallet, after the NBA's decision to punish him for flopping.
DEN’s Nikola Jokic was assessed a postgame Flopping fine of $2,000 upon league office review for https://t.co/zfNWRhTIw7 on Dec. 2 vs. SAC.
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) December 3, 2023
According to the league, Jokic was assessed a flopping fine of $2,000 for a flop from Saturday's loss to the Sacramento Kings.
With about three-and-a-half minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Jokic was being guarded by Kings center Domantas Sabonis. He caught the ball at the free throw line, pump-faked once, and then fired up a contested fadeaway with about eight second left on the shot clock.
Sabonis patiently defended the two-time MVP winner throughout the whole sequence, but wound up being called for a shooting foul on Jokic's jumper.
The issue was that once Jokic let the shot fly, he stumbled back and flailed his arms in an effort to bait the officials into awarding him two free throws.
The NBA's decision to fine The Joker comes as part of its new anti-flopping intitiative that's been instated for this season. Players who flop during a game are supposed to be issued a technical foul. The league can also go back after the fact and issue a fine.
Nikola Jokic is putting together a historic season for the Denver Nuggets
Despite the unfortunate loss of a few dollars, Jokic has still been on quite the hot streak so far in the 2023-24 campaign.
As of Dec. 4, 2023, the big man leads the entire NBA in total points, total rebounds, and total assists.
Jokic this season:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 4, 2023
1st in points
1st in rebounds
1st in assists
Dominant. https://t.co/QXPJr3JfC1
His performance against the Kings was as on-brand as it gets. Jokic notched a triple-double at The Golden1 Center, tallying 36 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists.
Outings like that have become the norm for the Serbian superstar. He's nearly averaging a triple-double this season with 29.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game.
He and the Nuggets will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on the LA Clippers.
Unsurprisingly, Jokic is once again playing like one of the best players in the NBA, and you can cash in on him and the Nuggets at Bet365. Just sign up, deposit $10 or more and then bet $5 or more on Denver vs. the Clippers. You'll win $150 in bonus bets whenever your wager settles, win or lose. Sign up with Bet365 today!