Will Nuggets be suspended for leaving bench during Timberwolves altercation?

The lasting memory from Saturday's Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves will be the scrum that took place towards the end after Nikola Jokic confronted Jaden McDaniels for a late layup after the game was already in hand. That'll especially be the case if the Nuggets face suspensions from the altercation as they attempt to dig out of a 3-1 series hole. According to NBA rules, players not in the game must remain in the immediate vicinity of their bench during an altercation -- or be subject to a one-game suspension.

Which applies to at least a couple Nuggets, as you can see both Aaron Gordon and Jonas Valanciunas enter the picture in clips of the scrum . Tensions were high at the end of Game 4 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves 😳 Both Nikola Jokic and Julius Randle were ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. pic.

twitter. com/U7Pg8ULO1J — ESPN (@espn) April 26, 2026 There was still 1. 3 seconds left in the game at the time of the altercation, so both players could face punishment if the NBA sticks to the letter of law.

Though I suppose one could argue the game was essentially over, which I'm sure Denver will. Losing Gordon would be an especially tough blow, as his injuries throughout the season proved. Suspensions are less of a concern for the Timberwolves, because the altercation took place in the direct vicinity of their bench.