NBA players at Footprint Center have to walk the long way to the visitors’ locker room after Clippers guard Russell Westbrook gets into a heated exchange with Suns fans in Round 1 of the playoff series.
Arena security has blocked two doors to the Club Gila River lounge area outside of the visitor changing rooms.
Each door of Club Gila River has a sign reading ‘Guest Area: No Team Access’, according to a Twitter photo.
Players reportedly used the area as a shortcut to the courts and locker rooms throughout the season.
The route from the court to the visitor’s locker room is much longer, according to AZ Central’s Duane Rankin’s video, which takes him through the Club Gila River area and back corridors of the arena.
Players are reportedly passing through the area from the 2020-21 season onwards. $230 million renovation project.
No off-court issues were reported in Tuesday’s Game 2 victory in the Suns’ 123-109 win over the Clippers to take the series 1-1.
Games 3 and 4 return to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday and Saturday.
The Clippers beat the Suns 115-110 in Game 1 on Sunday and were behind Westbrook’s heroic defensive effort.
The former MVP was captured on video during halftime at a fierce spar with male Suns fans inside the Club Gila River lounge area.
“Watch your mouth,” Westbrook can be heard back on court before the second half of the contest.
The fan replied, “Take it like a man.”
(Caution adult language)
As Westbrook and Huang continued their verbal exchange, I saw a security guard standing between them.
A fan reportedly mentioned the guardas “Westbrick”, often struggles with his shooting.
“We are aware of the incident that occurred tonight and are investigating.” Sands said in a statement.
Despite the off-court drama, Westbrook has been a solid presence for the Clippers in the series so far.
The veteran guard shot just 3-of-19 from the field in Game 1 and had 9 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals.
Westbrook had 28 points, five rebounds and five assists in the Game 2 loss on Tuesday.
