Nikola Jokic’s older brother remains the center of a criminal case stemming from an altercation at a Nuggets playoff game, as first reported by TMZ and confirmed by The Athletic.
After Denver’s win over Los Angeles on April 22, Strahinja Jokic is alleged to have punched a fan. A nearby fan at Ball Arena captured a video of the altercation, which quickly circulated on social media after Game 2 of the first-round series.
Strahinja is one of Jokic’s two older brothers. Nemanja Jokic, who played basketball collegiately in the United States, is also visible in the video.
Here is everything you need to know about the postgame incident from the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
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Nikola Jokic brother fight video
The video, which is 14 seconds long, begins as Strahinja Jokic exits his row to confront a fan from a few rows below.
As the two begin to exchange words in the aisle, Jokic appears to punch the fan in the chin before he is joined by Nemanja, who exchanges words with the fan without any further physical escalation.
The NBA is reportedly investigating this video that shows Nikola Jokic’s brother Strahinja punching a fan during Game 2 in Denver, per @TMZ_Sports
pic.twitter.com/sTZwfrXRKR
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 23, 2024
The video ends as the brothers walk away from the fan.
After an investigation, Strahinja Jokic was charged with third-degree assault. The Denver Post obtained an affidavit that details the criminal action taken by the other fan involved.
The fan who was punched spoke with police three days after the April 22 game. He suffered a concussion and cuts and bruises on his face. The fan initially did not want to press charges but later changed his mind, police said.
The Denver Post adds that Strahinja Jokic was charged in late July. The report included that Strahinja Jokic told police his actions were in defense of an older man he had known for a very long time.
Strainjha Jokic appeared in court Wednesday, Aug. 21, and was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim. In October, Strahija Jokic will return to court to enter a plea.
Jokic’s older brothers have been at the center of several situations in recent years.
In November 2021, the brothers joined X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to engage in a war of words with then-Clippers forward Marcus Morris, who was upset after an altercation between his twin brother Markieff and Nikola Jokic.
During the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the brothers directed passionate language toward the court as Jokic and Suns guard Devin Booker needed to be separated.
The Jokic brothers wanted every piece of available smoke ??? pic.twitter.com/pmUUb4gELw
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) June 15, 2021
The league’s investigation will determine the next steps regarding the discipline of the brothers. The NBA’s fan code of conduct states that “guests who engage in fighting, throwing objects or attempting to enter the court will be immediately ejected from the arena.”
The brothers of a two-time league MVP, Strahinja and Nemanja are far from typical fans but could be subject to further discipline for engaging in a physical confrontation.
The Sporting News will continue to provide updates on the developing situation as the investigation is ongoing.
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Who are Nikola Jokic’s brothers?
Nikola Jokic’s older brothers are Nemanja and Strahinja.
In 2016, Nikola told Slam that he “fell in love with basketball because of [his brothers].” Strahinja played professionally in Europe, and Nemanja received a scholarship to Detroit Mercy.
Nemanja and Strahinja moved to Denver with Nikola when he decided to make the jump to the NBA in 2015. They lived with Nikola and his then-girlfriend in a three-bedroom apartment.