May 26, 2021; PWashington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) reacts after a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter of game two in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
MANILA, Philippines—NBA superstar LeBron James was furious at the fan who dumped popcorn on Washington point guard Russell Westbrook during the Wizards’ NBA playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Taking to Twitter, the four-time MVP demanded that the offending fan be identified. According to reports, the fan was escorted out of the Wells Fargo Arena.
“By the way, we as the players wanna see who threw that popcorn on Russ while he was leaving the game tonight with an injury!” posted James Thursday (Manila time). “There are cameras all over arenas so there’s no excuse!”
James then posted the hashtag #ProtectOurPlayers.
By the way WE AS THE PLAYERS wanna see who threw that popcorn on Russ while he was leaving the game tonight with a injury!! There’s cameras all over arenas so there’s no excuse! Cause if the 👟 was on the other 🦶🏾.🎥 #ProtectOurPlayers
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 27, 2021
Westbrook, named MVP in 2017 when he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was limping to the Wizards dressing room after suffering an apparent ankle injury when a fan from the stands showered him with popcorn.
Wizards staff and security had to restrain Westbrook while fans in the stands tried to point to Westbrook who threw the popcorn.
“I wouldn’t come up to me on the street and throw popcorn on my head because you know what happens,” said Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook appeared to have popcorn poured on his head by a fan on his way to the locker room with an apparent injury.
The fan was ejected from the game. pic.twitter.com/WgtvKMFYHH
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 27, 2021
ESPN reported that one fan seated near the tunnel shortly after the incident that happened with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The 76ers seized a 2-0 lead with a 120-95 rout.
This wasn’t the first time that Westbrook got heated with fans.
An incident in 2019 saw Westbrook got into a verbal altercation with a Utah fan that the point guard alleged made racial remarks at him.