Nu OriginsMark Stevens, a billionaire investor for the Golden State Warriors, has been banned from the remaining games of the NBA playoffs after shoving Kyle Lowry during Game 3.
Kyle Lowry was shaking his head after a courtside fan pushed him when he fell into the crowd. pic.twitter.com/5SwQv3hdnN
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 6, 2019
Statement from @MRobertsNBPA regarding incident involving Kyle Lowry and Mark Stevens.
Link: https://t.co/2pbh8a7tB9 pic.twitter.com/ydUUhSlPI8
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) June 6, 2019
On Wednesday evening, Lowry was trying to capture a loose ball and jumped into the stands to get it. The Toronto Raptors point guard was then shoved by Mark Stevens, who was sitting in the front row. Stevens pushed Lowry despite the fact that no contact had been made between the two men. Lowry called for security and Stevens was escorted out of the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California where the game was being played.
The Warriors confirmed Stevens’ identity and banned him from further games Thursday.
“Mr. Stevens’ behavior last night did not reflect the high standards that we hope to exemplify as an organization,” the statement said. “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.”
Lowry commented on the incident following the game in which the Raptors won 123-109.
“As for that fan, there’s no place for that,” Lowry 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.”
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James also weighed in on social media.
“He knew the rules more than just the average person sitting watching the game courtside so for (that’s) something needs to be done ASAP!” James said in an Instagram post. “A swift action for his actions.”
