Nikola Jokic’s Brother Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Charge Stemming from Fight with Fan at NBA Playoff Game

Mar. 15, 2025

Strahinja Jokic.Photo:Bart Young/NBAE via Getty

Bart Young/NBAE via Getty

Strahinja Jokichas pleaded not guilty to an assault charge stemming froma viral fight with a fanat a Denver Nuggets game last April, according to multiple reports.

Strahinja, the older brother of NBA starNikola Jokic, pleaded not guilty on Monday, Jan. 6 and has another court date set for March with the chance his case could head to trial in April, according to local9News.

TMZreportedthat the NBA star’s older brother appeared in a Denver County courtroom Monday to enter his not guilty plea after he was charged with misdemeanor assault. The altercation happened during the Nuggets' playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena on April 22.

Strahinja frequently attended his brother’s NBA games prior to the incident and celebrated the Nuggets’ 2023 NBA Championship alongside Nikola on the court after the game. Nikola has two older brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, who were also both former professional basketball players in their native Serbia.

Nikola Jokic and Strahinja Jokic.Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty

Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty

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The Denver Police Departmenttold PEOPLE at the timethat the fan didn’t initially come forward about pressing charges. However, 9News reports that the fan told police at the time that he didn’t want to press charges out of fear of retaliation, but later changed his mind in early May after seeing a doctor and getting diagnosed with a concussion.

Strahinja Jokic.AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

9News reported that Strahinja’s next court date is set for March 17, before a potential trial begins one month later.

source: people.com