Jusuf Nurkic wasn’t in uniform Sunday night against the Pacers, but that didn’t stop the Blazers big man from getting heated after the game, confronting a fan seated courtside at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. After a brief exchange, Nurkic took the fan’s phone and threw it, prompting a nearby security guard to intervene.
Hecklers, it seems, have grown increasingly hostile of late, testing the patience of Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, among other NBA superstars. The prevalence of social media has, at times, created a dangerous dynamic, emboldening fans seeking content opportunities. Another working theory is that these interactions were always taking place, but just weren’t captured on video until fans began weaponizing their smartphones, provoking players in an effort to go viral.
It’s unclear what circumstances may have led to this particular encounter, though Nurkic can probably expect a call from commissioner Adam Silver with discipline in the form of a fine or suspension a likely possibility.
The 27-year-old from Bosnia hasn’t played in over a month, missing the past 11 games with plantar fasciitis. Nurkic was having a productive season before he got hurt, averaging 15.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, the latter a career-high. The slumping Blazers—losers of four straight and 10 of their last 11—have also been without Damian Lillard, who underwent abdominal surgery in mid-January.
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