Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is kicked out of Game 4 for flagrant foul against Cameron Payne

© Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker push each other in the third quarter during Game 4.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was ejected from Sunday night’s game for a flagrant foul against the Phoenix Suns’ Cameron Payne.

The incident took place with 3:52 left in the third quarter of Game 4 of the second-round series in Denver. 

Jokic, who was announced last week as the NBA’s MVP, missed a shot and the Suns rebounded. Payne received a pass and Jokic tried to knock the ball out of his hands with a big downward swing, catching him in the nose.

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Payne fell to the ground, and Jokic and the Suns’ Devin Booker got into each other’s faces as medical officials attended to Payne.

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After a long video review, the referees call a flagrant penalty 2 against Jokic, with referees citing his “windup, impact and follow-through.”

Jokic was ejected and a technical foul was called on Booker.

Payne stayed in the game. Jokic shook his hand on the way to the locker room.

Jokic finished the game with 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is kicked out of Game 4 for flagrant foul against Cameron Payne