Glenn James / NBAE via Getty Images
A loss on the field was reportedly far from the only concern for Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul on Sunday.
Paul turned his head after the Dallas Mavericks’ 111-101 victory in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series when he suggested fans at the American Airlines Center “lay hands on” members of his family:
ESPNs Dave McMenamin reported that fans pushed to Paul’s wife, Jada, and laid hands on his mother, Robin. In addition, his children allegedly witnessed the harassment, which made his family feel “very insecure.”
The Mavericks released one announcement who said, “The Dallas Mavericks are aware of an incident between a fan and the family of Chris Paul. It was unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated. The Mavericks, along with the American Airlines Center, quickly removed the flag from today’s match.”
Fan behavior has at times been a focal point during these playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid be revealed in Toronto Raptors fans for their chants during the first round. Golden State Warriors striker Draymond Green criticized Memphis Grizzlies fans for booing him when he was injured, causing him to turn them off as he left the field.
The NBA fined Green $ 25,000.
Sunday’s alleged harassment is not the first altercation in the series between the Suns and Mavericks, as Dallas star Luka Doncic had to be restrained from going on it with a fan when the series was in Phoenix:
Bleacher report @BleacherReport
Luka had to be held back after coming in with a Suns fan 👀 pic.twitter.com/8hS36zR7KC
As for basketball itself, Sunday was a day to forget for Paul. He made a mistake in just 23 minutes of action and was on the bench all the last time the Mavericks put the game away.
Six Dallas players scored in double digits, including Doncic (26 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds) and Dorian Finney-Smith (24 points, eight rebounds and 8-of-12 shooting from three-point range).
The series returns to Phoenix for a critical game 5 on Tuesday.