"It was an easy catch": Western Union CEO tries to aid Nuggets in comeback against Rockets

DENVER — The Denver Nuggets were busy cutting into the Houston Rockets’ lead when Hikmet Ersek made his own contribution to the comeback. With a little less than five minutes remaining in Sunday’s game, the Western Union CEO snatched a loose ball bouncing his way before Trevor Ariza could get to it.

Ersek, who runs the company that specializes in money transfers, was sitting in his usual courtside seat near the Nuggets’ bench. When he saw the basketball bouncing his way, he made a play on it rather than waiting to see if Ariza could chase it down.

“I used to play basketball in Europe,” Ersek said. “It was an easy catch.”

The Nuggets were allowed to keep possession after the officials ruled Ariza stepped out of bounds, which meant he had no chance to save the basketball from going out even if he was able to get his hands on it. The Nuggets cut the Rockets’ lead all the way down to four but couldn’t complete the comeback. Even though Houston came out on top 119-114, Ersek was impressed with the way Denver fought.

“I run a company. I come here just to relax, just to watch these boys, who are playing so passionately,” Ersek said. “It’s almost like a college team. They play really hard.”

Ersek has become a court-side fixture at Nuggets games this season. He attends games whenever his business schedule allows. He cheers animatedly, but he never interfered with the action until Sunday’s game.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone was standing feet away from Ersek when he stood up and caught the loose ball. Malone said he thought Ariza had a chance to save it. Malone was agitated that Ersek got involved in the play.

“Yeah, he did. Luckily, he stepped out of bounds,” Malone said. “Like the referee told the fan, that could’ve been a big play. If they give Houston the ball on that, that could’ve been a game changer potentially. Thank goodness the ball was still awarded to us because Trevor stepped on the sideline. That’s why fans should sit down and enjoy the game.”

It didn’t end up costing Denver in the end, though. The Nuggets were in it until James Harden drilled a filthy step-back jumper with 46 seconds remaining that pushed Houston’s lead to eight. Harden wound up scoring 41 points on 20 shots, helping snap the Nuggets’ four-game win streak.

Ersek has gotten a kick out of the Nuggets’ strong play as of late. They’ve won 10 of their last 14 games, playing their high-scoring brand of basketball centered around Nikola Jokic.

“They play so fast,” Ersek said. “They’re fun to watch. When I’m not traveling, when I’m not at a board meeting, I’m here.”