There was controversy off the court in the last quarter of the Mavericks’ 111-101 Game 4 win over the Suns which tied up the series at 2-2. Cameras caught an irate Chris Paul asking security to have a fan removed from the arena and Paul had some choice words for the fan on his way out too. It was soon revealed that the fans in question had put their hands on Paul’s family members who were seated in front of them.
An investigation by the Mavericks organization has since confirmed the incident did take place and they issued the following statement on Monday.
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1523779864863850496
It shouldn’t come across as a surprise to anyone now that Paul reacted the way he did towards the fan but the individual in question, whose face is now all over the internet has given his side of the story on his Instagram.
Turner, who has now been banned from attending games at the arena until 2023, has claimed that he wasn’t the one who did it, but it was another individual who he brought with him to the game who committed the act.
While he should take responsibility for who he brings with him to the game, it seems he wasn’t the one who did, which explains his reaction when Paul shouted at him as he was being escorted out. Still, there can be no excusing the act that was committed as players’ families should be completely off-limits to fans. We have seen rising tensions between the fans on the sidelines and players in recent times, and this incident is another unfortunate entry to that list.
The incident has overshadowed what was a massive win for the Mavs who seemed dead and buried after Game 2, but they have shown great resolve to make this a series and will head to Phoenix to steal homecourt advantage.
