Nikola Jokic at center of Nuggets-Timberwolves fight

Nikola Jokic was at the center of a heated confrontation during the fourth quarter of the Denver Nuggets' potential elimination game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP, got into it with the Timberwolves' Jaylen Clark, who was called for a personal foul with 9:47 to go. Clark shoved Jokic, and Jokic shoved Clark back. Clark pulled at Jokic as he fell, and things escalated from there.

Naz Reid also got involved, shoving Jokic in the back.

Nikola Jokic in the middle of another scrum in Minnesota.pic.twitter.com/5sDBnQbO8l— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 1, 2026

Cooler heads eventually prevailed and the players were all separated. After review, Jokic, Clark and Reid were all hit with technical fouls. That resulted in one free throw for the Nuggets.

Another look at Jokic & Jaylen Clark. 👀

pic.twitter.com/gPWj3jWERohttps://t.co/7zTViJub83— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 1, 2026

Minnesota, which is without Anthony Edwards, leads the series 3-2 and is trying to close things out.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nikola Jokic at center of fight in Nuggets vs Timberwolves