Reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook’s season ended Friday night after the Utah Jazz ended the series with a 96-91 win over the Thunder. After the game, Westbrook got into a confrontation with a Jazz fan for the second time during the game.
“I didn't confront fans; fans confront me,” Westbrook said during a post-game press conference covered by ESPN. “Here in Utah, man, a lot of disrespectful, vulgar things are said to the players here with these fans. It's truly disrespectful. Talk about your families, your kids. It’s truly disrespectful to the game, man.”
You can view Westbrook’s remarks in the video above.
Russell Westbrook vs a Jazz fan part 3 tonight pic.twitter.com/RyTy773Ooi
Westbrook got into two separate incidents with fans. The first incident appeared to be a verbal spat with one fan while exiting the court, and things got more heated the second time when Westbrook appeared to be upset about a spectator recording him as he headed to the locker room.
Russell Westbrook vs. fan. Fan lucky this didn’t get worse. pic.twitter.com/5HRJJ4kYjZ
“I think it's something that needs to be brought up,” Westbrook added. “I'm tired of just going out and playing, then the fans saying whatever the hell they want to say. I'm not with that. If I was on the street, they wouldn’t just come up to me and say anything crazy, because I don't play that shit. So to disrespect me and to get a chance to do whatever they want to do needs to be put to a stop, especially here in Utah.”
Westbrook put up a final stat line of 46 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. After the 4-2 series, the Jazz will move on to face the Houston Rockets.
