Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry was involved in a physical confrontation with a man sitting courtside during Game 3 of the team’s NBA Finals series against the Golden State Warriors. Lowry dove into the crowd in an attempt to chase down a loose ball before he was shoved in return.
“As for that fan, there’s no place for that,” Lowry said in response after the game. “He had no reason to touch me. He had no reason to reach over two seats and then say some vulgar language, there’s no place for people like that in the league.
“Hopefully he never comes back to an NBA game.”
Following the game, the fan was identified as Mark Stevens. As it turns out, according to Axios, Stevens is a venture capitalist and part owner of the Warriors.
“Mark will prove to be a tremendous asset to our organization as we strive to become one of the model franchises in professional sports,” Warriors executive chairman Peter Guber said in an interview back in 2013. “We’ve managed to build a strong and well-rounded ownership group in which each individual contributes to our success, and Mark is no exception. He’s an ideal fit.”
According to ESPN, Stevens was ejected and escorted out of the building following the incident.
Former NBA player Richard Jefferson echoed what Lowry said following the game that Stevens should not be allowed back at an NBA game.
“That man’s push could’ve affected the outcome of the NBA Finals,” Jefferson said on ESPN’s Get Up. “If you have suspensions during the NBA Finals because a fan that was sitting in the front row decides to just push a player for no reason, that’s why the person has to be gone forever.”
Lowry, meanwhile, had the last laugh with 23 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block as the Raptors went on to take a 2-1 series lead over the Warriors. We will have to see whether Stevens is welcomed back to the arena and if he will able to sit courtside.
