Russell Westbrook says the Utah jazz fan made a racial provocation that led to the confrontation



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Keisel said he saw Westbrook's knees wrapped in towels. So he told her to sit down and cover herself with ice cream, brother. Westbrook responded that the blankets were hot. Keisel added that he then told Westbrook: We are going to need it. Keizer said the woman sitting next to him, identified by ESPN as his wife, Jennifer Huff, had said nothing to Westbrook and had his hands on his lap.

Attempts to reach Keisel on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Keisel was sitting third on the baseline near Thunder Bank. Unlike most other sports, basketball fans can sit a few meters away from players. This can lead to lively and lively exchanges – like the ruckus between Spike Lee and Reggie Miller in the 1990s – but also to big problems.

The most infamous is what is called The Malice at the Palace in 2004. After a fight between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, a fan threw a drink at the artist Ron Artest , a forward has since changed its name to Metta World Peace. Artest charges in the stands, closely followed by teammate Stephen Jackson, and punches a fan. Artest was suspended for 86 games and five players ultimately did not plead against charges of assault for misdemeanor.

Since the incident, N.B.A. has taken many steps to prevent violence, especially between players and fans. Players are automatically suspended if they leave the bench during an altercation on the field and supporters whose unacceptable behavior is heard or reported to the security are given a card informing them that they can be expelled from the arena .

In one declaration, the Jazz said the arena security had issued several warning cards to fans during the match. The team said it was investigating this episode and that "appropriate action" would be taken if supporters had violated the league's code of conduct.

Westbrook has had several meetings with fans, including in Salt Lake City. In the playoffs last year, Westbrook went twice with the fans leaving the field. The first time, he approached and yelled against a fan leaning over the railing to talk to him; the second time, Westbrook rapped a phone that a fan had pushed him against the face.

"Here in Utah, a lot of vulgar and disrespectful things are said to players here with these fans," Westbrook said after the match. Subsequently, Jazz officials said the safety of their arena was adequate and updated their video message in the arena on fan behavior.

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