NBA Commissioner Levies 1-Year Ban on Warriors Owner

The venture capitalist and part owner of the Golden State Warriors who shoved Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry after he tumbled into the stands during Game 3 of the NBA Finals has been fined $500,000. Along with the fine, minority owner Mark Stevens has been given a one-year ban from NBA commissioner Adam Silver. However, Silver stopped short of banning Stevens from attending games for life.

While speaking with reporters, Silver said he thought a one-year ban and fine was “appropriate” for the former Sequoia Capital managing partner and that there wasn’t a “rulebook” for dealing with these sorts of incidents. “It’s not a science in terms of making these decisions,” Silver said.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explains why Warriors investor Mark Stevens was given a one-year ban instead of a life-time ban pic.twitter.com/54dxMMObCc

— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) June 6, 2019

Stevens issued an apology for his behavior on Thursday night and said he accepted the league’s punishment.

“Mr. Stevens’ behavior last night did not reflect the high standard that we hope to exemplify as an organization,” the Warriors said in a release. “We’re extremely disappointed in his actions and, along with Mr. Stevens, offer our sincere apology to Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors organization for this unfortunate misconduct.”

The Warriors apologized to Lowry, but according to the veteran point guard, Stevens has not.

“I don’t know him. I don’t care to know him,” Lowry said. “He showed his true colors at the time. And you show what you’re really about in that time and at that moment. … No, you showed what you really are.”

Game 4 of the series is Friday night in Oakland.

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