Game 5 Tension Builds as NBA Launches Investigation Into Nuggets-Timberwolves Altercation
The Nuggets-Timberwolves series already had plenty of edge, but now the NBA is stepping in before Game 5. The league has reportedly launched an investigation into the late-game altercation between Nikola Jokic and Jaden McDaniels after Minnesota's Game 4 win over Denver ended in chaos. With just 1.3 seconds left and the Timberwolves comfortably ahead, McDaniels finished an uncontested layup instead of letting the clock run out.
Jokic clearly saw it as unnecessary, rushed over from mid-court, and shoved McDaniels near the Timberwolves bench, setting off a brief scuffle involving players from both sides. Now, with Minnesota one win away from closing the series and Denver trying to stay alive, the focus has shifted to whether the NBA will hand out any discipline before Monday's Game 5.
The NBA investigation is underway into the Denver Nuggets-Minnesota Timberwolves scuffle Saturday night, including interviews with involved players and officials and review of the footage, sources tell ESPN. Rulings are expected before Game 5 on Monday night in Denver.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 26, 2026
Shams Charania reported on the investigation saying, "The NBA investigation is underway into the Denver Nuggets-Minnesota Timberwolves scuffle Saturday night, including interviews with involved players and officials and review of the footage, sources tell ESPN. Rulings are expected before Game 5 on Monday night in Denver."
What Did the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic Have to Say on the Incident?
The Nuggets were already dealing with a rough loss, but Jaden McDaniels' late layup clearly pushed them over the edge.
David Adelman was pretty blunt about it afterward. He said, "I didn't like what McDaniels did," and made it clear that Denver felt the game had already been settled. From the Nuggets' side, there was no need for Minnesota to add one more basket with the clock almost gone. Adelman even said, "The game was over," and suggested that type of play feels more like something from the old-school NBA than today's game.
Jokic had a similar view and did not sound like he regretted stepping in. When asked about confronting McDaniels, he said, "I don't regret it," explaining that McDaniels scored after "everybody stopped playing." Jokic also agreed that, in those moments, teams are usually expected to just let the clock run out.
That is what makes this whole situation bigger than one late layup. Denver is down 3-1, the Timberwolves have won three straight, and McDaniels has been poking at the Nuggets all series. Whether it was his earlier comments about Denver's defense or this final basket, he has clearly gotten under their skin. Now the Nuggets have to respond in Game 5 without letting the emotion of the series take over.
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This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 12:25 PM.