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Update — The Sixers released a statement regarding the fan who dumped popcorn on Westbrook while heading to the locker room during Game 2. The fan has been banned from Wells Fargo Center and had their season tickets revoked.
Statement from the Philadelphia 76ers: Fan who dumped popcorn on Wizards‘ Russell Westbrook has had his season ticket revoked and been banned from Wells Fargo Center indefinitely. pic.twitter.com/jVBWWVcZjT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 27, 2021
One fan stepped out of line during Wednesday’s Game 2 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards. Russell Westbrook suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter and needed to go to the locker room for evaluation afterward. Tempers flared when one spectator decided to pour popcorn on his head from the stands while he entered the tunnel.
fan pours popcorn on Westbrook as he’s being assisted off floor with an injury pic.twitter.com/tGcn4kqRqq
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 27, 2021
Westbrook was very frustrated after the incident and had to be restrained. Everyone expected fans to get rowdy now that the number of fans allowed at playoff games has been raised, but this was outright disrespectful. It’ll be interesting to see how the NBA handles the situation, but the culprit will probably receive a ban from future games at Wells Fargo Center.
Westbrook registered 10 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds in 29 minutes as the Wizards fell 120-95. Washington trails -02 in the series and will get a chance to bounce back on Saturday at Capital One Arena.
Here’s what Russ had to say about the incident after the game:
Russell Westbrook said that "throwing food on top of me, it's just bullshit" when asked about the fan throwing popcorn on him. Westbrook said the NBA has to protect its players and that we will see what the NBA does. Scott Brooks said that fan should be banned.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) May 27, 2021