After the final buzzer sounded in Game 6, confirming the Toronto Raptors had just secured their first championship in franchise history, a minor scuffle could be seen just off the court. This altercation involved Raptors President Masai Ujiri, who was reportedly trying to make his way to the court for the championship celebration.
This is where things apparently went south, as NBC Bay Area reports that Ujiri pushed and struck a sheriff’s deputy in the face during the altercation.
A sheriff’s deputy was allegedly pushed and struck in the face by a Toronto Raptors executive who was trying to make his way to the court after Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena Thursday, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office said.
The incident occurred moments after the Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors to give Canada its first-ever NBA championship. Sheriff’s officials said the deputy denied the executive access to the court because he didn’t have proper credentials.
Obviously as the team president, you want to be out there with your organization after securing your first NBA Finals in franchise history. However, the officer wasn’t allowing Masai Ujiri on to the court to celebrate with his players or coaches. Multiple videos surfaced on Twitter from the altercation and show Ujiri clearly frustrated with an office as he makes his way out onto the court.
#BREAKING: Sheriff's deputy reportedly pushed and struck in the face by a man believed to be a Toronto Raptors executive after Game 6 of the #NBAFinals at Oracle Arena, @ACSOSheriffs says. https://t.co/fobdK9iWEq pic.twitter.com/a4X0IysY5Z
— Kristofer Noceda (@krisnoceda) June 14, 2019
My bad. He’s the president of the Raptors. ? he might be my new hero pic.twitter.com/PU0RuBAZu4
— BEN BALLER™ (@BENBALLER) June 14, 2019
Hopefully for Ujiri, this latest incident doesn’t come with grave repercussions, especially ahead of a huge offseason. Stay posted to Def Pen for more information on the situation as it becomes available.
