Guard Isaiah Thomas brought context to his ejection in the fourth quarter of the Washington Wizards’ 125-108 loss to 76ers on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Thomas told reporters the Sixers fan stuck up both of his middle fingers up and swore repeatedly at the Washington guard. Thomas then went into to the stands to confront the fan when the Wizards called a timeout with three minutes left in the game. Thomas was ejected soon after.
“I’m never going to be disrespected in any way. It doesn’t matter where I am, that’s not going to happen,” he said after the game on Saturday. “So when I missed the first three throw and made the second, I’m running back and a fan has both of his middle fingers up and said, ‘(Expletive) you, (expletive),’ three times.
“Then the timeout goes and I go in the stands and confront him. I say, ‘Don’t be disrespectful. I’m a man before anything and be a fan.’
“His response was, ‘I’m sorry I just wanted a Frosty.’ Because if you miss two free throws, I guess the fans get a Frosty.
“So that’s what happened and I walked back and told my security who it was, so he can get kicked out the game because in no shape or form should that be allowed at all.”
He added: “That crossed the line, I’ve got kids, I’ve got a family, that is not okay at all, so I just went to go and tell him that.”
Here’s a look at the interaction.
Thomas clearly had no regrets from the incident. The NBA may review the situation to see if Thomas deserves further punishment.
