Lowry confirmed Thursday that Stevens, 59, also directed obscene language his way “multiple times” during the incident.
“He’s not a good look for the ownership group they have,” Lowry said. “… A guy like that, showing his true class, he shouldn’t be a part of our league. There’s just no place for that.”
Said Lowry later: “I was furious, I’m not going to lie.”
Prior to the NBA’s decision, the Warriors issued a statement Thursday condemning Stevens’ actions and said he would not be in attendance for the rest of the NBA Finals. The team later clarified that Stevens, who is listed as a member of the Warriors’ executive board in the team’s media guide, would be suspended from all team-related activities while the matter was being investigated.
“Mr. Stevens’ behavior last night did not reflect the high standards that we hope to exemplify as an organization,” the Warriors said in the statement. “We’re extremely disappointed in his actions and, along with Mr. Stevens, offer our sincere apology to Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors organization for this unfortunate misconduct. There is no place for such interaction between fans — or anyone — and players at an NBA game.”
Lowry said Stephens hasn’t personally reached out to him, but he was appreciative of the league for “stepping up” and for the Warriors’ organization for their apology.
“I don’t think there is any reason,” Lowry said. “For me personally, I don’t know him. I don’t care to know him. He showed his true colors at the time. A guy like that shouldn’t be a part of our league. Being honest with you. That’s my personal opinion.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Thursday said he saw the “commotion” during Game 3 — but hasn’t seen the actual shove — and would personally apologize to Lowry and the Raptors.
“That’s unacceptable,” Kerr said of Stevens’ actions.
Toronto leads the best-of-seven series 2-1 after the Raptors’ 123-109 victory on Wednesday. The Warriors host Game 4 on Friday (9 p.m. ET, ABC).
The incident, which happened not far from where Warriors owner Joe Lacob was sitting, occurred when Lowry, who was chasing a loose ball, knocked the ball into a referee and landed in the lap of one male fan, who appeared to grab Lowry’s jersey with two hands. A woman who was standing nearby patted Lowry on his back. At the same time, Stevens, who was sitting down, extended his left arm and gave Lowry a hard shove to his left shoulder.
Lowry got up and complained to officials, who ejected Stevens from the game. After the game, before Stevens was identified as the man who pushed him, Lowry said the fan who shoved him should be banned “forever” from NBA games.
“Like I said last night, there is no room in our game for that,” Lowry said Thursday. “In that situation, I don’t think I could have handled it any better. I understand things could have been a lot different if I reacted in a different way — if I did something or put my hands [on him] or did anything of that nature.”
Warriors star Stephen Curry said the incident could have been “a lot worse” and that Lowry deserves credit for handling the situation appropriately.
“Obviously, an unfortunate situation all around,” Curry said Thursday. “Credit Kyle for the way he handled it. Lot of different reactions you could have had. He handled it correctly.
“… You don’t want to see that in our game. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen. I don’t think it is a reflection of how we handle business here. As a Warriors organization, franchise, we have a high standard and do things with class and professionalism. I know Mark is apologetic and whatnot, but we’ll handle that situation.”
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, who watched the game on television, said Thursday on Instagram that he “couldn’t and wouldn’t be quiet about this” and that Stevens “knew the rules more than just the average person sitting watching the game courtside.”
The NBPA issued a statement saying it is monitoring investigations by both the league and the Warriors and “anxiously await” a resolution.
“The NBPA has previously expressed its support of a ‘zero-tolerance policy’ with respect to verbal and/or physical assaults perpetrated against players,” executive director Michele Roberts said in the statement. “Stevens’ status as a member of the ownership group does not alter that view.”
Stevens was a partner with Lacob as a venture capitalist at Sequoia Capital, which helped finance companies such as Google and PayPal. It’s unclear how large his ownership stake in the Warriors is.
“[I] understand that there are plenty of fans and kids watching this game,” Lowry said. “I understand I have two young children, [and have] to be able to hold myself to a certain standard — which I do hold myself to a high, high standard. I’ve got to make sure I uphold that … [and] never letting guys like him get under your skin. That’s bullcrap.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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