Brother of Nikola Jokić Receives Probation After Viral Fight

Strahinja Jokić, the brother of NBA star Nikola Jokić, has been sentenced to one year of probation following a violent incident at the Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers game in April 2024. The incident gained widespread attention after a video of the altercation circulated on social media.

Jokić, 43, pleaded guilty to charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct. The trespassing charge is considered a misdemeanor, while the disorderly conduct offense is categorized as a petty offense. He was initially accused of third-degree assault after punching a Lakers fan, identified as Nicholas Meyer, courtside at the arena.

Meyer claimed to have suffered a concussion, facial cuts, bruises, and a deviated septum due to the punch. In court, Meyer described feeling unsafe and fearful, especially in relation to potential retaliation from the Jokić family or other fans who might recognize him and react violently.

Jokić was formally charged in July 2024. He defended his actions by asserting that he was protecting an elderly man he knows, rather than engaging in an unprovoked assault. The incident was widely covered after the video came to light, prompting legal action against Jokić.

In a prior 2019 case, Jokić faced assault charges and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of obstructing phone service and a felony of trespassing. His previous trespassing charge was dismissed in 2022 after he successfully completed court-mandated probation without further incidents. Court records indicated he followed court rules and avoided additional crimes during that period.