A Boston Celtics fan was arrested Sunday for allegedly throwing a water bottle at Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving as he walked off the court after Game 4.
Cameras caught the bottle narrowly missing Irving, the former Celtic who scored 39 points in Brooklyn’s pivotal 141-126 win.
The Boston Police Department said Monday the suspect is Cole Buckley, 21, and will face charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He will be arraigned Tuesday. According to The Athletic, Boston PD also say that a second fan was arrested and charged for fighting a police officer.
The thrown water bottle is the latest in a recent series of contentious incidents between fans and athletes. Last week, a fan dumped popcorn on Wizards guard Russell Westbrook in Philadelphia, while another tried to spit on Atlanta’s Trae Young in New York. The Utah Jazz also ejected three fans for heckling Memphis’ Ja Morant’s family with racist and sexist comments.
The NBA vowed to crack down on the behavior, saying it would “vigorously” enforce an “enhanced” code of conduct.
Irving called fans “entitled” Sunday, telling reporters that players are being treated like animals.
“You’re seeing a lot of old ways come up,” Irving said. “It has been that way in history in terms of entertainment, performers and sports for a long period of time and just underlying racism and just treating people like they’re in a human zoo. Throwing stuff at people, saying things. There is a certain point where it gets to be too much.”
Brooklyn forward Kevin Durant urged fans to “grow the f—- up.
“You coming to the game is not all about you as a fan,” Durant said. “So, have some respect for the game. Have some respect for the human beings, and have some respect for yourself. Your mother wouldn’t be proud of you throwing water bottles at basketball players or spitting on players or tossing popcorn.”
The 21-year-old male who threw a water bottle at Kyrie Irving faces assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge and will be arraigned on Tuesday, Boston PD say.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 31, 2021
A second fan in Boston was also arrested Sunday night due to assault and battery of a police offer. https://t.co/lHhMiV4ur5
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.