Three Jazz Fans Banned After Verbal Altercation With Morant Family
May 27, 2021, 6:00 PM | Updated: 8:11 pm
Vivint Arena filled with Utah Jazz fans (KSL Sports: Ben Anderson)
(KSL Sports: Ben Anderson)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Three Utah Jazz have fans been banned from Vivint Arena after an altercation with the family of Ja Morant during game two of their playoff series with the Memphis Grizzlies.
According to a release from the team, the three fans were banned after a verbal altercation.
“The Utah Jazz have zero tolerance for offensive or disruptive behavior. An incident occurred last night involving a verbal altercation during Game 2.
“Arena security staff intervened, and the investigation resulted in the removal and banning of three Jazz fans indefinitely,” the release read.
“We apologize to all who were impacted by this unfortunate incident and condemn unacceptable fan behavior. The Utah Jazz are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment.”
my family told me they felt the love from all the other jazz fans who were around them 🤝 even bought each other drinks with a few.
those 3 just went too far 💯 https://t.co/1XvjXcPVOo
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) May 28, 2021
According to several reports from fans on social media, a group of fans was asked to leave the game after an incident involving the family of the Grizzlies guard. ESPN later confirmed the two incidents were related.
It’s not the first time Jazz fans have been banned from Vivint Arena after a verbal altercation at the team’s games.
In March 2019, two Jazz fans were banned after getting into a verbal altercation with then Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook. The All-Star was seen interacting with fans during the game and accused the husband and wife of making racially insensitive comments towards him.
On Thursday, a judge dismissed a $100 million lawsuit by the couple brought against Westbrook.
I’m glad those fans were banned and they should never be allowed back…. this is ridiculous!!! The fact that these words are being thrown around to players and there families is ridiculous! Enough is enough smh! https://t.co/rfzj0T1W1r
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 28, 2021
The NBA was plagued by ugly incidents involving fans in all three of its NBA games last night. In Philadelphia, Westbrook had popcorn dumped on him by a 76ers fan as he left the court with an injury.
At Madison Square Garden, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young was spat on by a New York Knicks fas while standing near the sidelines.
Both arenas banned the fans indefinitely.
