Russell Westbrook got into an extended verbal exchange with a fan late in the Los Angeles Clippers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday (AEDT).
Referee Lauren Holtkamp came over and stood between Westbrook and the seats in the final 30 seconds of the game.
Two security personnel came on court while former Clipper DeAndre Jordan appeared to encourage an agitated Westbrook to move away from the situation.
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The fan was in the row behind the courtside seats at Crypto.com Arena. He pointed his fingers at his head while yelling in Westbrook’s direction.
“I’m not going to speak on it because it’s not appropriate,” Westbrook said when asked what the fan shouted at him.
“It’s unfortunate today fans can say whatever they want,” he said. “I’m just protecting myself. Personally, I won’t allow it. I won’t stand for it.”
Last season, Westbrook and a Phoenix Suns fan got into a heated exchange at half-time in a club area at Footprint Center during the Clippers’ playoff series.
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In December 2022, when Westbrook played for the Los Angeles Lakers, he had another angry exchange with a fan sitting courtside at a game in Milwaukee.
“I understand fans are enjoying the game and feeling up to whatever that may be,” Westbrook added. “I guess they feel they can kind of say whatever, but this is our job … all the negative comments about family and things of that nature, I would kind of stay away from. But anything else, they can kind of say what they want.”
Westbrook added: “Respect is a big thing that I value so the moment that line gets crossed I won’t allow it no more.
“I stood for it for years and now my son is old enough to know what’s going on and asks me, ‘Hey Dad, what does that mean or what’s that?’”