Source: Twitter
Russell Westbrook Gets Into Heated Exchange With Fan, Claims Fan Yelled "Racial" Comments at Him
Update: The NBA has banned the fan,Shane Keisel, for life. The NBA has also fined Russell Westbrook $25,000.
\u201cThe Utah Jazz banned the fan for life and the NBA fined Russell Westbrook $25,000 for his role in the confrontation, the league announced.\u201d— Alex Kennedy (@Alex Kennedy) 1552425326
Scroll down to see the original story.
Things got heated with Westbrook.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook got into a heated exchange with a fan during a game againstthe UtahJazz on Monday night (March 11th). (Thunder would win the game 98-89.)
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The exchange was caught on video by Utah Jazz reporterEric Woodyard. In the video, you can clearly hear Westbrook yellIll fuck you up. You and your wife, to two fans in the stan. (The game took place at Vivint Smart Home Arena, in Salt Lake City, Utah.)
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Here is the exchange:
\u201cThings get heated between Russell Westbrook and Utah Jazz fans again. \u201cI\u2019ll f*ck you up. You and your wife,\u201d he says. Not sure what these fans said to him, but he also had issues with Jazz fans during the postseason.\u201d— Eric Woodyard (@Eric Woodyard) 1552358405
\u201cFive Utah Jazz fans received "warning cards" that their comments, gestures and/or behaviors directed at players were in violation of the NBA Fan Code of Conduct, but were able to return to their seats after their altercation with Russell Westbrook.\u201d— Eric Woodyard (@Eric Woodyard) 1552358405
After the game, Westbrook explained what caused him to react like that. The NBA star said the Jazz fans told himto get down on your knees like youre used to. Westbrook felt like the comments were racial, which is why he was so enraged:
\u201cRussell Westbrook on a heated exchange between him and two fans:\u201d— Maddie Lee (@Maddie Lee) 1552365259
The Utah Jazz fan wasShane Keisel. In an interview withKSL5TV, says that he told Westbrook to ice his knees. Not get down on his knees.
Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade wasn't buying it:
\u201cLies people tell\u201d— DWade (@DWade) 1552364982
Also, retired NBA player Matt Barnes commented on the exchange, saying Utah fans have the "most racist fans in the NBA:"
Of course, NBA Twitter started pulling up old tweets from Keisel, who seems to be a Donald Trump supporter and not a fan of Westbrook.
\u201cWow Shane Keisel the truth shall set you free...what a racist pos! Nice to have a safe court side seat to yell unpleasantries, try saying anything like that on the streets\u201d— sk (@sk) 1552369426
This isn't the first time Westbrook had an intense exchange with Jazz fans. Last years officials had to hold him back from going after a fan.