Washington Wizards’ Russell Westbrook agitated as popcorn poured on him while leaving floor with ankle injury

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Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook had to be held back by arena security staff after popcorn was dumped on his head by a fan as he exited Wednesday night’s game in Philadelphia with a right ankle injury.

With 10 minutes, 28 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the Wizards trailing the 76ers by 17 points in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series, Westbrook stepped on 76ers guard Furkan Korkmaz‘s foot and rolled his ankle.

As he left the floor limping to go to the locker room for treatment, a fan poured popcorn on Westbrook as he went down the tunnel. It angered Westbrook, who had to be held back by multiple team officials and Wells Fargo Center security staff.

A fan seated near the tunnel was escorted out by security shortly after the incident.

“I wouldn’t come up to me on the street and throw popcorn on my head, because you know what happens,” Westbrook said following the game, which the Wizards lost 120-95 to fall into an 0-2 series hole. “In these arenas, you gotta start protecting the players. We’ll see what the NBA does.”

Valerie Camillo, president of business operations for the Wells Fargo Center, said in a statement that the incident “was classless, unacceptable behavior” that would not be tolerated.

“We’re proud to have the most passionate fans in the country and the best home-court and home-ice advantage around, but this type of behavior has no place in our arena,” the statement read.

Asked for his reaction to the fan throwing popcorn at Westbrook, teammate Bradley Beal replied: “It’s disgusting.” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said the fan should be banned.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James also weighed in on the situation in a Twitter post, writing, “By the way WE AS THE PLAYERS wanna see who threw that popcorn on Russ while he was leaving the game tonight with a injury!! There’s cameras all over arenas so there’s no excuse! Cause if the [shoe] was on the other [foot].”

He attached the hashtag #ProtectOurPlayers.

Earlier in the game, Westbrook briefly left the floor to work on a different right leg injury after he fell while guarding Ben Simmons on a post play late in the third quarter. Westbrook struggled on the night, going 2-for-10 shooting with 10 points,11 assists and six rebounds.

As for how his ankle will feel for Game 3 on Saturday, Westbrook said, “We’ll see.”





Source : ESPN