Strahinja Jokić, the older brother of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, has been sentenced to one year of supervised probation in connection with an incident that occurred during an NBA playoff game. The altercation happened on April 22, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series between the Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers. After Denver won the game 101–99, a video widely circulated on social media showed Strahinja climbing over seats in the stands and punching a fan following a heated verbal exchange.
The fan involved in the incident, later identified as Nicholas Meyer, alleged that the physical confrontation left him with a concussion, facial injuries, and a deviated septum. Initially, Meyer did not press charges, reportedly out of concern for his safety, but he later sought medical attention and pursued legal action. This led to a formal investigation and, ultimately, criminal charges against Strahinja Jokić.
In July 2024, prosecutors charged Strahinja with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor. However, as the case progressed, a plea deal was reached. Under the agreement, Strahinja pleaded guilty to lesser charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct. In exchange, the more serious assault charge was dropped. As part of the plea, a Denver judge sentenced him to 12 months of supervised probation rather than jail time. The court emphasized that any violation of the terms of probation could result in more severe penalties, including possible incarceration.
During the legal proceedings, Strahinja claimed he acted in defense of an older friend during the altercation. He stated that he did not believe he had done anything wrong. Despite the plea deal, the incident has drawn significant media attention, largely due to his association with Nikola Jokić, who is one of the most prominent players in the NBA and a two-time league MVP.
This was not the first time Strahinja Jokić had a run-in with the law. In 2019, he was arrested in Denver for a domestic violence incident in which he was accused of choking and physically restraining a woman and preventing her from calling 911. That case ended with Strahinja pleading guilty to felony trespassing and misdemeanor obstruction of telephone service, while other charges were dropped. He successfully completed probation, and the felony charge was later dismissed.
The recent incident adds to the Jokić brothers’ controversial history involving NBA games. Strahinja and his brother Nemanja have often been seen courtside at Nuggets games and have developed a reputation for being outspoken and occasionally aggressive fans. In 2021, the Jokić brothers made headlines during a dispute involving Nikola and Miami Heat player Markieff Morris, which spilled over into social media, where the brothers threatened retaliation.
As Strahinja serves his probation, he must follow strict court-ordered guidelines, which likely include avoiding further legal trouble, attending scheduled meetings with probation officers, and possibly undergoing counseling or community service. Failure to adhere to the terms of the agreement could lead to a revocation of probation and the imposition of jail time.
The case has cast a shadow over Nikola Jokić’s otherwise celebrated career, bringing unwanted attention during what has been a successful period for the Nuggets organization. While Nikola has not commented publicly on the matter, the situation serves as a reminder of how off-court behavior by those close to public figures can have wide-reaching effects on their public image.
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