A 21-year-old Celtics fan is the third fan in the last week to find himself banned from an NBA arena.
The fan could be seen throwing a water bottle in the direction of Kyrie Irving when the Nets star was walking through the tunnel. Irving and teammate Tyler Johnson appear to notice immediately, stopping to try to locate the fan.
A fan appears to throw a water bottle at Kyrie as he heads into the locker room after the Nets-Celtics game. pic.twitter.com/SCGaWyStht
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 31, 2021
According to ESPN’s Malika Andrews, the fan was escorted out of the arena and ultimately arrested and charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon.
Here is what Irving and his teammates said about the situation after the game:
"It's unfortunate that sports has come to a lot of this kind of crossroads. … Just underlying racism and just treating people like they're in a human zoo."
Kyrie Irving speaks out after a fan threw a water bottle at him in Boston. pic.twitter.com/IXfE8I0EE8
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 31, 2021
Kevin Durant has some words for the Celtics "fan" who threw a water bottle at Kyrie Irving:
"Grow the f–k up and enjoy the game. It's bigger than you." pic.twitter.com/eKCc14Kdhn
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) May 31, 2021
James Harden goes over how the Nets had success in Game 4 and gives his thoughts on the incident where a fan threw a water bottle at Kyrie Irving after the game. pic.twitter.com/h4gMrhd8V8
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 31, 2021
The Celtics fan makes headlines only a couple of days after a 76ers season ticket holder was banned from Wells Fargo Arena for dumping popcorn on an injured Russell Westbrook as he walked back to the locker room. And, on that same night, a Knicks fan could be seen spitting in the direction of Trae Young, resulting in his own banning from Madison Square Garden. As far as we know, neither of those fans have faced legal consequences up until this point.
So you hear that, kid!? You’re the lucky idiot! Congrats!!
The Fans Who Disrespected Russell Westbrook and Trae Young Have Been Banned Indefinitelyhttps://t.co/Jcvkc2ZHOh
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) May 27, 2021