PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns issued a statement Monday morning condemning the behavior of some fans after an altercation following Sunday’s game at Phoenix Suns Arena.
The statement, in part, reads, "while the intensity on the court continues to heat up, we still expect Suns fans to keep their cool off the court. We will not tolerate the violence that erupted following Sunday’s game at Phoenix Suns Arena."
Sunday was another victorious day for the Phoenix Suns as they beat the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
It wasn't the first time an altercation has broken out. On June 11, during Game 3 of the Suns vs. Nuggets playoff series, a melee broke out between two fans, which went viral and made the phrase "Suns in 4" popular among fans in the Valley.
The Phoenix Police Department said it was not contacted by anyone involved in the June 20 incident, and no arrests were made.
Suns fans have been on a high during this playoff run and in some instances, a little too intense. Psychologist professor Sam Sommers says the reason behind the feuds may have to do with the pandemic.
“It seems like every day or every other day there’s a story about fights among NBA fans or people throwing things. It seems like there’s a lot of it going on,” said Sommers.
In the latest incident, a Suns and Clippers fan got into a physical altercation in the stadium. Other fans then got involved.
“People all crowded together, throw alcohol into the mix, you get all of that adrenaline going as people watch games which is one of the nice things about being a sports fan but it’s also a volatile mix that can lead things to go badly,” said Sommers.
He has two theories. One:
“Perhaps this isn’t that unusual we just haven’t seen it in a while because we’ve been in lockdown,” said Sommers.
His second:
“Another hypothesis though is that … now that some of these restrictions are being lifted, it’s sort of like all bets are off,” said Sommers.
The NBA has said the fan code will be strictly enforced following multiple incidents of fans attacking players in various ways. A fan threw popcorn at the Warriors' Russel Westbrook. Another fan was accused of spitting on Sixer' Trae Young.
The Suns released the statement saying they will not tolerate fan violence following Sunday’s incident.
But even so, fights have come with popularity, with Nick McKeller rose to social media fame when he and a Nuggets fan were involved in an altercation. He says he was acting in self-defense. His phrase “Suns in four” has led to t-shirt and actions figures made in his likeness.
“Maybe we need to be thinking through what it is we’re posting on social media and the ways we’re glorifying some behaviors that I think most of us don’t condone,” said Sommers.
Suns schedule
- Game 2 Tuesday, June 22 @ 6 p.m.
- Game 3 Thursday, June 24 @ 6 p.m.
- Game 4 Saturday, June 26 @ 6 p.m.
- Game 5* Monday, June 28 @ 6 p.m.
- Game 6* Wednesday, June 30 @ 6 p.m.
- Game 7* Friday, July 2 @ 6 p.m.
- *If necessary
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