They’ve apparently softened those rules (or at least their interpretation) to include both context for the incident near the bench (which benefits Gobert and Hyland) and level of participation (which benefits Gordon and JV, who people seem to miss went WAY further than Gordon)

See here:

During an altercation, all players not participating in the game must remain in the immediate vicinity of their bench. Violators may be subject to a one-game suspension and fined up to $100,000. In determining whether to impose discipline on a player for leaving the bench area in connection with an altercation during a game, the NBA will take into account the following factors, as well as any other relevant facts and circumstances: (i) the distance the player traveled from his team’s bench, and (ii) the extent to which he entered the immediate proximity of the altercation

Honestly for the best, regular season is fine. Suspensions in the playoffs are honestly so dumb for stuff that isn’t that egregious. I wanna see the players play not sit on the bench

Yeah, by the rules, he should probably be suspended, but he seemed to be playing peacemaker more than anything. I don’t think he even touched a Wolves player.

Like, if you get into a scrap from the bench, you should 100% get suspended, but if you leave the bench to help break things up, I don’t think you should get suspended.

It’s actually worse for us to try and play Gordon on 1 leg then have to be forced to bench him.

Well they didn’t do shit when Murray throw that heat pack years ago, series is already 3-1…

It’s the playoffs, unless you commit a physical crime you aren’t getting suspended

And how many wolves players also left the bench ? . But that’s not a very strict rule any more 

Stern looking up at him highly disappointed

Most spineless commissioner ever. If he won’t do anything to Kawhi and the a Clippers with concrete evidences, he won’t do any else

For what is a shoving match?

We’ve seen more egregious stuff let go.

Is Aaron Gordon not getting suspended for leaving the bench?

That’s crazy. Remember when Amar’e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were suspended for one game after leaving the bench when Big Shot Rob hip checked Steve Nash on to a table.

Shit was awesome!

Guess Jokic has to cancel date night at Applebee’s.

Jokic won’t be getting that 5 pack colored variety underwear pack from target

1 real good one

Dunno but it’s a hoovy fine

One stallion

You gotta pay like that if you wanna show off your muscles and physique in the nba

Ants is probably best case scenario. Provided we make it past yall, just gotta fight like hell through San Antonio to give ant the chance to come back

Of course you like it. Jokic shouldve been home for game 5

Agreed. Nothing really happened no need to ruin a playoff game with suspensions.

That’s all it deserved it was nothing 

My guess would be that maximum fines are negotiated in the CBA. Could also be that the league wants to discourage flare-ups while also keeping the possibility viable for viewers, since scuffles are exciting and generate tension for future matchups. This would require penalties that are discouraging but not overly punitive so as to make them exceedingly rare.

It’ll take someone just flaunting it. I’m kind of shocked we haven’t seen it yet at this point. Also not sure when it would ever make sense to flaunt it without tanking value but otherwise the players just seem to pretend to care enough after getting them that it works.

I think most Wolves fans will be happy with this. The concern a lot had was if Gobert was suspended for coming off the bench to play peacemaker while Jokic would be fined for sparking the whole thing.

When you charge at someone full force that is as threatening as throwing a punch. Had Mcdaniels thrown a punch which is a natural self defense mechanism when someone is charging at you he would have been suspended.

the best player in the league 3 time mvp doesn’t run down the court with 1 second left going down 3-1 in a loss to enforce some imaginary rule that he thinks people should uphold when he actively tries to flout, skirt, and manipulate the actual rules…every game.

Not that it matters, but it’s funny that everyone seemed to miss big ol JV all the way down the floor. He was totally uninvolved and absolutely shouldn’t be punished; it’s just funny people seemed to miss him.

And all the other players involved, too!

Has there been suspensions for people going into other people’s faces???

Don’t these fines go to charities?

Player tax deduction

Are you saying if Jokic got I. Wemby’s face or if Wemby did what Jokic did? Because for one I don’t think it’ll ever happen because Wemby isn’t that sort of player to instigate and the other I don’t think anyone would be talking suspension for Wemby getting in someone’s face during the playoffs

the fuck else you want? no ounches were thrown. People shove each other every game.

How bout we start with Dort?

NBA wouldn’t dare lolol

Incoming 22/11/10 on like 40%TS lol

Fine the Nuggets for not playing defense

100k fine for shooting a layup during regulation gameplay is very reasonable 

fine murray $200k for shooting instead of dribblng out the clock just to try and get jokic his triple double