Overview

• Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy and trainer Jasen Powell wrestled the ball from Nikola Jokic during the final seconds of Game 1 of the playoff series.
• The incident, which occurred with 34 seconds left, did not result in a delay-of-game penalty despite clear interference with live play.
• Nikola Jokic criticized the lack of enforcement, citing NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s mandates for quicker, uninterrupted gameplay.
• The Denver Nuggets overcame the disruption and a 15-point deficit to win 112–110 in overtime, led by Jokic and key contributions from Russell Westbrook.
• The controversy highlights ongoing questions about officiating consistency and its potential impact on the series as Game 2 approaches.