Russell Westbrook was seen on camera shouting expletives at a fan during Monday’s game against the Jazz in Salt Lake City. After the game, though, Westbrook revealed that the fan, Shane Keisel, told him to “get down on your knees like you’re used to.”
Keisel denied saying anything derogatory in a TV interview but his social media history was littered with racist and xenophobic remarks directed at Westbrook.
The Utah Jazz have now issued a lifetime ban for that fan. The team followed up the incident by reviewing footage and interviewing witnesses. They came to a conclusion that backed up Westbrook’s account of the exchange and issued the following statement Tuesday afternoon.
The announcement came shortly after Jazz players Donovan Mitchell and Thabo Sefolosha both spoke out in favor of Westbrook.
NBA fans applauded the Jazz for taking a swift and decisive response against the fan.
