Legal Troubles for Strahinja Jokić
In a recent legal development, Strahinja Jokić, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, has been sentenced to a year of probation following an altercation that gained significant attention during an NBA matchup between the Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers in April 2024. The incident took place courtside at Ball Arena in Denver, where Strahinja punched a Lakers supporter, identified as Nicholas Meyer, resulting in charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct, as reported by The Denver Post.
Details of the Incident
Initially, Strahinja, aged 43, faced a more severe charge of third-degree assault after video footage of the confrontation circulated online. However, he ultimately entered a guilty plea to the lesser charges, which include a misdemeanor for trespassing and a petty offense for disorderly conduct. In his legal testimony, Nicholas Meyer detailed the emotional trauma he experienced as a result of the incident, stating:
“The assault shattered my sense of safety and control,”
and expressed ongoing fears for his personal safety and that of his family due to potential retaliatory actions.
Previous Legal Issues
This latest incident marks Strahinja Jokić’s second encounter with the law regarding physical altercations. In 2019, he was charged with assault after an incident involving a woman, during which he allegedly choked and pushed her, preventing her from calling emergency services. He ultimately accepted a plea deal that resulted in a guilty plea to a lesser charge of obstructing phone service, alongside a felony trespassing charge. This trespassing charge was dismissed in 2022 after he adhered to the conditions of his probation.
Impact on the Jokić Family
Strahinja’s legal troubles reflect a pattern that raises concerns, especially in light of the spotlight that comes with his brother’s basketball success. As the Nuggets continue their rise in the NBA, this incident adds a layer of complexity and scrutiny surrounding the family, particularly given their recent celebration of the team’s historic advance to the NBA Finals in 2023, where they triumphed over the Lakers in a sweeping series.
