Raptors guard Kyle Lowry went after a loose ball near the sideline early in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals. His momentum carried him into the courtside seats at Oracle Arena, and unfortunately this happened.
The fan who put his hands on Lowry is Warriors minority owner Mark Stevens, and the team issued the following statement about the situation Thursday morning:
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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.
Mr. Stevens will not be in attendance at any of the remaining games of the 2019 NBA Finals. Review of this matter is ongoing.
Later Thursday afternoon, the Warriors and the NBA announced that Stevens has been banned for one year and fined $500K.
The NBA Players Association released a statement Thursday afternoon as well.
We are closely monitoring both the Warriors’ and the League’s continued investigation into this matter and anxiously await their conclusions and response. The NBPA has previously expressed its support of a “zero-tolerance” policy with respect to verbal and/or physical assaults perpetrated against Players. Stevens’ status as a member of the ownership group does not alter that view.”
Golden State Warriors
Stevens joined the Warriors' ownership group in August 2013 and is an executive board member. It's unclear what this incident means for Stevens' standing with the team, but Lowry clearly wasn't happy when asked about it Wednesday night.
"He had no reason to touch me," Lowry told reporters after Toronto's 123-109 win. "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."
Lowry was terrific Wednesday night, recording 23 points, nine assists, one steal and one block.
Game 4 is Friday night at Oracle Arena, with the Raptors leading the best-of-seven series two games to one.