Toronto Raptors: NBA bans Warriors’ part-owner for shoving Kyle Lowry

The fan who shoved Toronto Raptors point guard Lowry has been identified as Golden State Warriors part-owner Mark Stevens.

In the midst of the Toronto Raptors‘ 123-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, another issue arose surrounding an incident involving Kyle Lowry.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Raptors guard leapt out of bounds to save a loose ball and landed in the first row of seating, but landed in a vacant seat – he did knock a fan back in the second row backwards, but she was OK. What happened next was what had the collective basketball world in an uproar.

After showing a replay, a “fan” sitting courtside pushed Lowry after he landed in the seat.

More from Tip of the Tower

• Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
• Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
• Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
• Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
• Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith

After Lowry told the referees on the floor about what happened the “fan”

Why do I have the word fan in quotations? Glad you asked. It turns out that this wasn’t just another patron attending the NBA Finals.

The man who shoved the Raptors’ point guard was none other than Mark Stevens, a venture capitalist and part owner of the Golden State Warriors, sources told Axios’ Ina Fried.

One source also claimed to the Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur that Stevens repeatedly told Lowry to “Go f— himself.”

Following the game, Lowry joined Scott Van Pelt on Sportscenter to discuss his performance in the contest, but he did briefly touch on what happened during that sequence.

"“In our league, there’s no place for that. In honesty, I hope he’s never allowed to come to an NBA game because he shouldn’t have done that. There’s no place for that and luckily, they threw him out, I’ve talked to the league’s security already and I’ve explained myself. The fans have a place – we love our fans – but fans like that shouldn’t be allowed to be in there because it’s not right and I can’t do anything to protect myself. But the league does a good job and, hopefully, they ban him from all NBA games ever.”"

Naturally, several current and former players sounded off regarding the incident following the game.

"“There’s absolutely no place in our BEAUTIFUL game for that AT ALL. There’s so many issues here. When you sit courtside you absolutely know what comes with being on the floor and if you don’t know it’s on the back on the ticket itself that states the guidelines. But he himself being a fan but more importantly PART-OWNER of the Warriors knew exactly what he was doing which was so uncalled for. He knew the rules more than just the average person sitting watching the game courtside so for that Something needs to be done ASAP! A swift action for his actions. Just think to yourself, what if @kyle_lowry7 would have reacted and put his hands back on him. You guys would be going CRAZY!! Calling for him to damn near be put in jail let alone being suspended for the rest of the Finals all because he was protected himself. I’ve been quite throughout the whole NBA playoffs watching every game (haven’t missed one) but after I saw what I saw last night, took time to let it manifest into my thinking 🧢 I couldn’t and wouldn’t be quiet on this! #ProtectThePlayers#PrivilegeAintWelcomeHere,” Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James said via Instagram."

17-year NBA veteran Stephen Jackson, who was a part of the infamous “Malice at the Palace” in 2004, was on “First Take” on Thursday and spoke his mind on the shove.

"“Whatever was said after the push, you know it wasn’t a compliment, you know it was something disrespectful, you know it’s something out of line. Once he pushed him, anything he said was off limits. Like I’m defensive after that. After you push me for no reason, half that stuff you’re saying, I don’t even hear it. I’m just being defensive from the push,” Jackson said."

"“It was good that it was Kyle. Lucky it wasn’t a Stephen Jackson or a Ron Artest because it could’ve been different. It’s all about respect. It’s not really about basketball at that point. We’re both men, you have no reason to put your hands on me. If it was a different situation where Kyle was on the street and pushed this guy, Kyle would be all over the news for assault.”"

Following his ejection, the Warriors announced that Stevens will not be attending any of the remaining NBA Finals games. However, he won’t be attending another NBA game ever again, as the league announced on Thursday that they have banned Stevens from attending games. They have not announced how long the ban will be in effect for.

"“A team representative must be held to the highest possible standard and the conduct of Golden State Warriors investor Mark Stevens last night was beyond unacceptable and has no place in our league. As the review of this matter continues, Mr. Stevens will not be permitted to attend NBA games,” NBA executive vice president of communications Mike Bass said in a statement."

Stevens will be making a formal apology, as well as a donation to the Lowry Love Foundation, according to Sportsnet’s Arash Madani, who added that Stevens hasn’t reached out to the Raptors guard.

Update: The NBA has banned Stevens for a year – including the 2020 postseason – and fined him $500,000.

What do you think of the incident? How will the Raptors fare in Game 4 of the series on Friday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!