It seems opposing fans and Kyle Lowry just can’t get along. On Thursday night in the Raptors’ road game in Cleveland, Lowry attempted to save a ball that was going out of bounds late in the fourth quarter, and while doing so, fell on top of two fans sitting courtside. As Lowry was getting back to his feet, a Cavaliers’ fan appeared to give him a push in the back in the video replay. He was able to save the ball and Serge Ibaka followed it up with a three to make it 105-101 Toronto. Lowry turned to look at the fan before running back on defense but didn’t say anything. The Raptors would go on to win 115-109.
SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019
“You’re diving for a loose ball and a fan’s pushing you, it’s unbelievable,” Lowry told ESPN after the game. “Our fans, our NBA fans, shouldn’t be represented by people like him. It’s the second time it’s happened to me and it’s kind of getting crazy because next time it happens I don’t know it I’ll be able to control myself and hopefully I will. I couldn’t really react because I was in mid-play, but it will come up. Fans like that shouldn’t be in our buildings, in our arenas.”
In last year’s NBA Finals, Lowry was pushed by a minority owner of the Golden State Warriors after attempting to keep the ball in bounds. The culprit, Mark Stevens was banned for the remainder of the playoffs and was required to pay a $500,000 fine. The Cavaliers are considering doling out punishment themselves and will reportedly review the play, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com
