NBA Players Pay Money After Fight (CEFR Compare)

Apr 27, 2026, 03:41

NBA Players Pay Money After Fight

Introduction

The NBA gave fines to Nikola Jokic and Julius Randle. These players fought during a game between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Main Body

Jaden McDaniels scored a basket at the end of the game. Nikola Jokic did not like this. Jokic pushed McDaniels. Julius Randle also pushed a player. The referees sent Jokic and Randle out of the game. The NBA said Jokic started the fight. Jokic paid $50,000 and Randle paid $35,000. Two Minnesota players are hurt. Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards cannot play now. Minnesota is winning the series 3-1.

Conclusion

Jokic and Randle can play in Game 5 on Monday. Minnesota will play without their hurt players.

Vocabulary Learning

game (n.)

match / a contest or competition比賽

Example:The game started at 7 p.m.

hurt (v.)

injure / to cause physical pain or damage受傷

Example:He hurt his knee during the match.

paid (v.)

settled / to give money for something支付

Example:She paid the ticket price at the box office.

play (v.)

participate / to take part in a sport or activity玩

Example:She likes to play tennis every weekend.

pushed (v.)

shoved / to force forward推

Example:He pushed the door open.

Sentence Learning

Jokic paid $50,000 and Randle paid $35,000.

Connector: The word 'and' joins two clauses, showing that both actions happened.連接詞: 'and' 連接兩個句子，表示兩個動作同時發生。

Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards cannot play now.

Time: The word 'now' indicates the present moment, telling when they cannot play.時間: 'now' 表示現在時刻，說明他們此時無法比賽。

Julius Randle also pushed a player.

Adverb: The word 'also' adds information, showing that Randle did something in addition.副詞: 'also' 為副詞，表示額外的動作。

The referees sent Jokic and Randle out of the game.

Prepositional Phrase: The phrase 'out of the game' tells where the players were sent.介詞短語: 'out of the game' 表示球員被送出比賽。

Jokic and Randle can play in Game 5 on Monday.

Modal Verb: The word 'can' expresses ability, meaning they are able to play.情態動詞: 'can' 表示能力，說明他們能夠比賽。

NBA Fines Jokic and Randle After Game 4 Fight Between Nuggets and Timberwolves

Introduction

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has fined Nikola Jokic and Julius Randle after a physical fight broke out in the final seconds of Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Main Body

The conflict began when Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels scored a layup while his team was winning by a large margin with only two seconds left. Nikola Jokic claimed that this action broke an unwritten rule of professional sports, as most players had stopped competing to let the game end. As a result, Jokic confronted and pushed McDaniels near the Minnesota bench. The situation grew worse when Julius Randle joined the fight and pushed Nuggets player Bruce Brown. Because of this, officials ejected both Jokic and Randle from the game. After reviewing the footage, the NBA asserted that Jokic started the fight and Randle made it more violent. Consequently, Jokic was fined $50,000 and Randle was fined $35,000. However, the league decided not to suspend any players, as current rules allow officials to be flexible based on where players were standing during the incident. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are facing serious injury problems. During Game 4, Donte DiVincenzo suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, and Anthony Edwards injured his left knee. Although Edwards will likely be out for several weeks, Minnesota still holds a 3-1 lead in the series. On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets are facing elimination and are expected to be the favorites for Game 5 in Denver.

Conclusion

Both Jokic and Randle are allowed to play in Game 5 on Monday, whereas the Timberwolves will have to play without DiVincenzo and Edwards.

Vocabulary Learning

conflict (n.)

disagreement / a serious disagreement or argument争端

Example:The conflict between the teams escalated quickly.

ejected (v.)

removed from a place or event / 驅逐

Example:The referee ejected the player for unsportsmanlike conduct.

elimination (n.)

removal from competition / 淘汰

Example:The Nuggets face elimination if they lose.

season-ending (adj.)

ending a season / 賽季結束的

Example:He suffered a season-ending injury.

unwritten (adj.)

not written down / not formally recorded未成文的

Example:There is an unwritten rule that players should not fight.

Sentence Learning

The league decided not to suspend any players, as current rules allow officials to be flexible based on where players were standing during the incident.

Relative Clause: The clause 'where players were standing' provides additional information about the 'incident' and functions as a relative clause modifying it.關係子句: 子句 "where players were standing" 為 "incident" 提供額外資訊，並作為關係子句修飾它。

Jokic was fined $50,000 and Randle was fined $35,000.

Passive Voice: The sentences use the passive form to emphasize the action (fining) rather than the doer.被動語態: 句子使用被動語態，強調動作（罰款）而非執行者。

Although Edwards will likely be out for several weeks, Minnesota still holds a 3-1 lead in the series.

Conjunction (Contrast): The word 'Although' introduces a contrast between Edwards' injury and Minnesota's continued lead.連接詞（對比）: "Although" 引入對比，說明 Edwards 受傷與明尼蘇達仍保持領先的關係。

Both Jokic and Randle are allowed to play in Game 5 on Monday, whereas the Timberwolves will have to play without DiVincenzo and Edwards.

Conjunction (Contrast): The word 'whereas' contrasts the situations of the two teams regarding player availability.連接詞（對比）: "whereas" 對比兩隊在球員可用性方面的不同情況。

NBA Imposes Financial Penalties Following Game 4 Altercation Between Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves

Introduction

The National Basketball Association has issued fines to Nikola Jokic and Julius Randle following a physical confrontation during the final seconds of Game 4 of the playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Main Body

The incident commenced when Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels executed an uncontested layup while his team held a significant lead with approximately two seconds remaining. According to Nikola Jokic, this action violated an unwritten professional standard, as players had effectively ceased active competition to allow the clock to expire. This prompted Jokic to confront and shove McDaniels near the Minnesota bench. The situation intensified when Julius Randle entered the confrontation and shoved Nuggets player Bruce Brown. Consequently, officials ejected both Jokic and Randle from the contest. Following a formal review, the NBA determined that Jokic initiated the encounter and Randle escalated it. Financial penalties were assessed accordingly, with Jokic fined $50,000 and Randle fined $35,000. No suspensions were issued for the primary participants or for other players who left the bench area, as the league's current regulatory framework allows for discretion based on the proximity of a player to the altercation. Parallel to these disciplinary actions, the series is impacted by significant personnel losses for Minnesota. During Game 4, Donte DiVincenzo sustained a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture, and Anthony Edwards suffered a bone bruise and hyperextension of the left knee. While Edwards is expected to be unavailable for several weeks, the Timberwolves maintain a 3-1 series lead. The Denver Nuggets, currently facing elimination, are positioned as favorites for the upcoming Game 5 in Denver.

Conclusion

Both Jokic and Randle remain eligible for Game 5 on Monday, while the Timberwolves will proceed without DiVincenzo and Edwards.

Vocabulary Learning

discretion (n.)

judicial freedom to decide; freedom of choice酌情處理；裁量權

Example:The league exercised discretion to fine the players.

escalated (v.)

intensified; increased in magnitude升級；惡化

Example:Randle escalated the confrontation by shoving the opponent.

hyperextension (n.)

extension beyond normal range of motion過度伸展；過度伸展

Example:He suffered a hyperextension of the left knee.

uncontested (adj.)

not contested; not challenged未受挑戰的；無爭議的

Example:He performed an uncontested layup as the clock ticked down.

unwritten (adj.)

not written down; informal非書面地的；非正式的

Example:The unwritten rules of the sport were violated during the game.

Sentence Learning

Following a formal review, the NBA determined that Jokic initiated the encounter and Randle escalated it.

Participial Phrase: The phrase "Following a formal review" is a participial phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier, indicating the time or condition under which the main clause occurs.分詞短語: 「Following a formal review」作為分詞短語，擔任副詞性修飾，說明主句發生的時間或條件。

No suspensions were issued for the primary participants or for other players who left the bench area, as the league's current regulatory framework allows for discretion based on the proximity of a player to the altercation.

Adverbial Clause of Reason: The clause "as the league's current regulatory framework allows for discretion based on the proximity of a player to the altercation" explains the reason for not issuing suspensions.原因狀語從句: 「as the league's current regulatory framework allows for discretion based on the proximity of a player to the altercation」說明未發出停賽的原因。

While Edwards is expected to be unavailable for several weeks, the Timberwolves maintain a 3-1 series lead.

Concessive Clause: The clause "While Edwards is expected to be unavailable for several weeks" presents a concession, contrasting with the Timberwolves maintaining a lead.讓步狀語從句: 「While Edwards is expected to be unavailable for several weeks」作為讓步從句，與 "the Timberwolves maintain a 3-1 series lead" 形成對比。

The Denver Nuggets, currently facing elimination, are positioned as favorites for the upcoming Game 5 in Denver.

Reduced Relative Clause: The phrase "currently facing elimination" is a reduced relative clause (present participle) that modifies "The Denver Nuggets".簡化關係子句: 「currently facing elimination」為簡化關係子句（現在分詞），修飾 "The Denver Nuggets"。

The situation intensified when Julius Randle entered the confrontation and shoved Nuggets player Bruce Brown.

Temporal Clause: The clause "when Julius Randle entered the confrontation and shoved Nuggets player Bruce Brown" indicates the time at which the situation intensified.時間狀語從句: 「when Julius Randle entered the confrontation and shoved Nuggets player Bruce Brown」說明情況加劇的時間。