The NBA is looking into an incident involving Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook and a Suns fan that took place inside a suite as Westbrook made his way to the locker room.
The investigation was first reported by Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT.
A viral video shows Westbrook making his way to the Clippers’ locker room at halftime, when he turned and confronted a fan. The fan then stood up as the two exchanged words, with Westbrook telling the fan to “watch your mouth.” A Clippers security member intervened and Westbrook then turned to head toward the locker room.
An NBA source told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports that Westbrook could be facing a suspension.
“Yeah, that was a surprise and it is something to worry about,” the source told Deveney. “He was in the stands. That not only gets you knocked out for a game, it can get you two or three games. I don’t know how much it will matter that he did not go overboard and there was nothing physical. But now you’ve got to worry about a suspension.”
@wojespn Seems reasonable for a halftime fan engagement pic.twitter.com/77F82mXMDh
— Blake Christopher (@BCH66223) April 17, 2023
The NBA rule book states that “the coach and his players are to leave the court and go directly to their dressing room, without pause or delay,” at halftime and the end of games. But that rule is mostly in place so that coaches and players don’t chase down the referees.
Several sources told Hoops Wire they don’t believe Westbrook will be suspended.
Westbrook shot just 3-of-19 from the field but made a key steal to help lift the Clippers to a Game 1 road win, as we relayed here.
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