Clippers coach holds off Jokić in courtside tussle
During a playoff game, Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy grabbed the ball from Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, delaying an inbound pass and sparking a viral moment.
Key points
- Van Gundy, 63, seized the ball from Jokić during a late inbound attempt.
- The move delayed Denver’s inbound but did not earn a delay‑of‑game warning.
- Jokić joked about the “two against one” and Braun teased the star needed to hit the weight room.
- Clippers’ coach David Adelman noted the tactic could be used if no penalty was given.
- The incident added a new anecdote to Van Gundy’s coaching career.
The NBA playoffs delivered a wild twist Saturday night when Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy found himself in a surprising courtside tussle—not with a player, but with Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić.
With just over seconds left in a tense Game, the Nuggets were trailing by a single point. After a turnover by Kawhi Leonard, Jokić rushed to inbound the ball and keep Denver’s momentum alive. But as he reached for the ball, Van Gundy—seated on the Clippers’ bench—refused to hand it over, gripping it tightly with the help of team trainer Jasen Powell. The brief struggle drew laughs and disbelief from fans and players alike, as the 63-year-old coach momentarily held off the reigning three-time MVP.
The Clippers, hoping to use a coach’s challenge, managed to delay Denver’s inbound without drawing a delay-of-game warning. Ultimately, the challenge failed, and the Nuggets regained possession, but the bizarre scene quickly went viral.
Jokić later joked about the “two against one” scenario, while Nuggets guard Christian Braun teased that the star center “needed to hit the weight room” after failing to wrest the ball from Van Gundy. Even Denver’s interim head coach David Adelman quipped about adopting similar tactics if there’s no penalty.
The incident adds another colorful chapter to Van Gundy’s storied NBA career—and leaves fans wondering what antics could unfold as the series continues.
Your questions, answered
What happened between Jeff Van Gundy and Nikola Jokić during the game?
Van Gundy grabbed the ball from Jokić during a late inbound attempt, delaying the play but not incurring a penalty.
Did the Clippers receive a delay-of-game warning?
No, the Clippers did not receive a delay-of-game warning for the incident.
Quick poll
Should coaches be allowed to interfere with inbound passes?
0 votes
How does this story make you feel?
Topics
Up next · SportsJets defeat Blues 5-3 in wild first-round opener
