Sports · Basketball · 4 hrs ago
Lakers fan ejected after throwing ball toward referee
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 116-103 in an NBA game.
Late in the third quarter, a fan in the front row caught the ball after a block and threw it toward rookie referee Chelisa Painter.
Painter had some difficulty catching the pass, and Lakers player Luka Doncic challenged the fan over what he had done.
The fan, identified by his wife as Duncan, was ejected from the game by security.
His wife, journalist Kellie DeMarco, said on Instagram that he feels terrible and meant no harm.
She said he had played basketball for years and has respect for officials.
A Lakers fan was ejected after throwing a ball toward rookie referee Chelisa Painter during the team’s win over the Sacramento Kings.
The incident happened late in the third quarter after Jarred Vanderbilt blocked a shot and a spectator caught the ball.
Luka Doncic confronted the fan and later said the ball had been thrown strongly toward the referee.
The fan’s wife, Kellie DeMarco, said he meant no harm, felt terrible and respected the officials.
- Who
- A Lakers fan identified by his wife as Duncan was ejected after throwing the ball toward referee Chelisa Painter.
- What
- He threw the ball back toward Painter, and security escorted him out of the game.
- When
- Late in the third quarter. The game date is not stated.
- Where
- At a Los Angeles Lakers game against the Sacramento Kings.
- Why
- The fan’s wife said he meant no harm and that his basketball muscle memory prompted the chest pass. Doncic questioned why he had thrown the ball toward the referee.
Duncan, as described by Kellie DeMarco
Luka Doncic
Intent
Duncan, as described by Kellie DeMarco
DeMarco said Duncan meant no harm, felt terrible about how the pass came across and respected the officials.
Luka Doncic
Doncic said Duncan tossed the ball strongly toward the referee and questioned what he was doing.
Jarred Vanderbilt blocked Malik Monk’s shot, and a spectator in the front row caught the ball and threw it toward Chelisa Painter.
Doncic confronted the fan, who was then escorted out by security.
DeMarco addressed the incident on Instagram and said her husband felt terrible and meant no harm.
- Game result
- Lakers beat the Kings 116-103
- Incident timing
- Late in the third quarter
- Referee
- Chelisa Painter, a rookie NBA official
- Fan identified by wife
- Duncan
- Fan’s wife
- Kellie DeMarco, a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist
What people are saying
He meant no harm, he feels terrible that it came across the wrong way, and he has nothing but respect for the officials.
He just tossed – really strong – the ball towards the ref,
I was just asking him what the hell is he doing?