Fans are the lifeblood of any sporting league, as their passion and dedication contribute to its popularity. Unfortunately, there is a concerning trend emerging where some fans engage in disruptive behavior such as hurling abuses or making inappropriate remarks directed at players. Players like Luka Doncic, Russell Westbrook and LeBron James have been on the receiving end of such inappropriate fan behavior in the past.
Yesterday, Suns’ star Kevin Durant got into a heated altercation with a couple of fans during the Suns matchup with the Mavericks. The altercation happened during the pregame warmups, when two fans allegedly called KD a “bit*h.” Durant immediately confronted the two Mavs fans, who started to make bizarre excuses for their inexplicable antics.
However, pundit and rapper Mase urged KD to steer clear of such situations. During a conversation on Come and Talk 2 Me podcast, Mase said, “I always was taught, don’t engage unless you’re ready to go all the way. Because for somebody like Kevin Durant, if he turns around and goes to this person, and let’s say they just swing. Now, he’s in a wild situation because now he has got to defend himself, and he’s the biggest loser. So, I would try to stay away from that.”
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The rivalry between the Mavs and the Suns has gotten chippy in recent seasons, which means matchups between the two Western Conference teams are always heated. Opposing fans often go to great lengths to disrupt players and get a viral reaction out of them. This incident is just one example in a series of player-fan altercations that have occurred during Mavericks vs Suns games.
Growing animosity between Dallas and Phoenix
The animosity between the two storied franchises has been growing ever since the 2022 playoffs. In a heated series, the Mavs claimed an improbable victory over a fancied Suns’ side despite being down 3-2 in the series. The Suns and the Mavericks, led by their superstar duo of Devin Booker and Luka Doncic, have regularly played out some enthralling matches.
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This season, the Suns and the Mavericks have played against each other three times, with Dallas emerging victorious in two of those encounters. With both the teams poised to make it into the postseason, the fans can expect fireworks if the two rivals face each other in the playoffs. Who’s your pick for the win? Let us know in the comments below!