In the ongoing NBA playoff final Game of 7 series, during Game 3 between the Golden state warriors and the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry was pushed by a fan who was later identified as Golden State Warriors part-owner Mark Stevens.
The Warriors initially barred Stevens from attending the remaining Finals games, but the league took it a step further suspending Stevens indefinitely from NBA games.
The National Basketball Association, NBA following the incident announced in a joint statement with Golden State Warriors stating that Stevens will be banned from attending games and Warriors activities for one year and has been fined $500,000.
The Warriors in a statement said “Mr. Stevens’ behavior last night did not reflect the high standards that we hope to exemplify as an organization, We’re extremely disappointed in his actions and, along with Mr. Stevens, offer our sincere apology to Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors organization for this unfortunate misconduct.
There is no place for such interaction between fans — or anyone — and players at an NBA game.”
Stevens pushed Lowry from two seats away and as the All-Star who was attempting to save a block by teammate Serge Ibaka from going out of bounds crashed into fans who sat in the front row of the Oracle Arena during the fourth quarter of Toronto’s 123-109 victory on Wednesday night.
Kawhi Leonard after the incident said “He had no reason to touch me. He had no reason to reach over two seats and then say some vulgar language to me. There’s no place for people like that in our league, and hopefully, he never comes back to an NBA game.”
Stevens’ ban is effective immediately and carries through the 2019-20 NBA season, including the postseason.
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