After a tense exchange in Game 4, owner Mat Ishbia were much more cordial before Tuesday's pivotal Game 5 in the NBA's Western Conference Semifinals.

Source: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/suns-owner-mat-ishbia-suspending-or-fining-nikola-jokic-would-not-be-right

Before the sport, Jokic shared a heat pregame hug — and the basketball — with Ishbia after a Forty eighth-hour kerfuffle over a free ball in Phoenix resulted in a technical foul and a $25,000 effective for the Nuggets large man.

Source: https://basquiatstrings.co.uk/nikola-jokics-triple-double-lifts-nuggets-to-decisive-game-5-win-over-suns-bt-news

But Thomas now makes a pretty stunning return to the NBA world as Ishbia, who was officially approved as the Suns’ new owner earlier this week, looks to make his mark on the league.

Source: https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/isiah-thomas-job-nba-contender-suns/611202

He’s listed at 280 pounds, and he would have no problem tossing Ishbia across the arena if he wanted to.

Source: https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2023/5/7/23714866/nikola-jokic-shoved-suns-owner-mat-ishbia-nuggets-nba-playoffs

However, some on social media argued that Ishbia exaggerated his fall after taking a the push from Jokic.

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/05/08/nuggets-coach-mike-malone-fumes-over-nikola-jokic-mat-ishbia-dust-up/

Ishbia, 43, the billionaire CEO and chairman of Pontiac-based mortgage lender United Wholesale Mortgage, became the Suns’ majority owner Feb. 6. He’s one of 14 Jewish owners of NBA teams.

Source: https://thejewishnews.com/2023/05/18/quick-hits-may/

Ishbia is the CEO of top mortgage lender United Wholesale Mortgage and takes over for previous Suns owner Robert Sarver.

Source: https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/dan-gilbert-petty-move-suns-owner-mat-ishbia/611163

Jokic, likely thinking Ishbia was just a regular fan, rushed over to retrieve the ball.

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/05/09/nikola-jokic-suns-owner-mat-ishbia-make-up-ahead-of-game-5/

Perhaps Booker is aware that the team could possibly face a major overhaul in the offseason under new owner Mat Ishbia.

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/05/12/devin-booker-skips-media-after-suns-season-ending-blowout-loss/

“Thank you to Mat Ishbia and the Mercury leadership team for their ongoing support.

Source: https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2023/07/15/phoenix-host-2024-all-star-game/

That means each of the 30 NBA franchises voted in favor of Ishbia … except for the Cavs.

Source: https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/dan-gilbert-petty-move-suns-owner-mat-ishbia/611163