The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Phoenix Suns Sunday night to even their playoff series at two games apiece. However, the evening was marred by an incident involving Chris Paul’s family and two fans.
Paul took to Twitter after the game to vent his frustration, noting the double standard between players getting fined “for saying stuff to the fans but the fans can put they hands on our families.”
Details soon emerged that two Mavs fans touched members of the Paul family without their permission and continued to try and engage with them. A video after the incident showed a fan wearing a Mavericks jersey being escorted out of the arena while Paul said, “Hey! Hey! Hey! I’ll see you later! I’ll see you later!”
Chris Paul is about to show up in that kid’s first period Algebra https://t.co/IAOLVgHHrD
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) May 9, 2022
On Monday, the Mavericks released a statement explaining what happened and doling out a ban for two fans through the rest of the year.
Statement from the Dallas Mavericks on the incident involving Chris Paul’s family and fans. Two fans, who gave unwanted hugs to Paul’s family, will be banned from American Airlines Center until 2023: pic.twitter.com/tDTVcD36uU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 9, 2022
“American Airlines Center and Dallas Mavericks security and executives have concluded the investigation into the incident involving the Paul family. Two unruly fans attempted to give unwanted hugs and have conversations with members of the Paul family on the public concourse of American Airlines Center. AAC security responded immediately once notified by the family and the fans were swiftly ejected from the game. The fans involved in the incident will not be allowed to return to the arena until 2023,” read the statement.
Reactions to the statement were pretty strong, with many fixating on the term “unwanted hugs” and others feeling as though a ban through the calendar year isn’t exactly a severe punishment. Also, considering the Mavericks have been involved in multiple accusations and investigations into hostile work environments, the lack of strong punishment also seemed to take on a different tone.
“Unwanted hugs”?? The Dallas Mavericks – of all teams! – should do better than this. But the fish rots from the head. https://t.co/G8xsRB6zB0
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) May 9, 2022
“unwanted hugs?” what in tarnation https://t.co/kNWz9Xqo8Y
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) May 9, 2022
the mavericks deemed this incident serious enough to invoke seven-month bans, and then downplayed what happened as "unwanted hugs"? https://t.co/dWC7hFbBDO
— tim cato (@tim_cato) May 9, 2022
“Unwanted hugs” oh you mean touching me without my permission. That is some friendly word play. https://t.co/pM5A9G4Qwb
— Preston Wilson (@PrestonWilson44) May 9, 2022
So weird seeing people say the Mavericks fans who harassed Chris Paul’s family have been “banned” when they’re allowed back in 2023.
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) May 9, 2022
first and foremost, the level of punishment handed down by the aac and the dallas mavericks is simply not enough. https://t.co/Em1ShhABff
— mike taddow (@MikeTaddow) May 9, 2022
We’ll have to see if Paul discusses the incident further as well as the punishment handed down, as well as whether or not the NBA deems this matter closed.
[Shams]
