:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72188215/1482725164.0.jpg)
The NBA is officially looking into Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook’s encounter with a Phoenix Suns fan at halftime of Game 1. Here’s video of the incident, which shows Westbrook telling a fan to “watch your mouth” prior to going back to the locker room. Warning: NSFW language.
"Watch your mouth motherf**ker!"
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 17, 2023
Russell Westbrook to a fan during halftime of Suns-Clippers
(via @BCH66223)pic.twitter.com/u3YDNEN513
The league is looking into Russell Westbrook’s exchange with a Suns’ fan at halftime in the club area that’s used by some players and coaches as a shortcut to locker room and arena bowl, sources inform @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 17, 2023
According to Haynes, Westbrook is unlikely to be suspended ahead of Game 2 between the Clippers and Suns. However, this isn’t the first time the point guard has been involved in controversy surrounding fan behavior. He famously received the double bird from a Sixers fan who was sitting courtside, and was then involved in a confrontation with a Jazz fan who Westbrook claimed made racial remarks ahead of the incident. He was also subject to popcorn being thrown at him during his time with the Wizards, and has routinely been a lightning rod when it comes to fan behavior.
The video isn’t complete and we don’t know what was said to push Westbrook to interact with the Suns fan, so there’s still some uncertainty around the situation. Since Westbrook is unlikely to be suspended, the most likely outcome will be the league telling the Clippers and Suns to not use that shortcut tunnel.