Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic hits Jaxson Hayes with karate chop action, stare down after shove

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic received a technical foul after retaliating against Utah Jazz center Jaxson Hayes during a preseason game on October 6. Hayes had shoved Jokic to create space on the wing without a foul being called, prompting Jokic to deliver a karate chop motion and stare down Hayes.

Despite the technical foul and conceding free throws, the Denver Nuggets secured a victory in the contest. Writer Bailey Bassett noted that the sequence highlighted Jokic's competitive edge and intensity, contrasting with common fan jokes that the three-time MVP is indifferent toward basketball.