There was a lot of buzz along the seats in the Hornets nest Friday night.
During a game between the Bulls and Hornets at Spectrum Center, a Charlotte fan sitting in the second row of the field was ejected for trash-talking Chicago’s Josh Giddey.
The guard was ready to inbound the ball when the Hornets led 119-112 with 1:16 to play in the fourth quarter. However, Giddey left his spot and began walking past the courtside seats before finding the Hornets fan, who stood up while pointing and gave Giddey the bird.
Pointing at him, Giddey said, “You’re making jokes you don’t understand.”
The fan, who was wearing a tan sweatshirt and large black sunglasses, stood up and raised his fist, looking for a fist bump from Giddey, who wouldn’t go there. NBA referee Kevin Scott blew his whistle several times and stepped between the two as words were exchanged.
Scott motioned for arena security to come over and eject the fan. He was escorted from the Spectrum Center by several security officers.
The Hornets’ lead could have made fans feel safe enough to take action. They ultimately defeated the Bulls 123-116
“He just said something I didn’t like and I went up to him – that was it,” Giddey said after the match. according to the AP. “Security took him out and that was the end of it.”
Giddey, a fifth-year 23-year-old, nearly earned his fifth triple-double of the season, finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. He was accused in 2024 of having an alleged relationship with a minor, but no criminal charges were filed and the NBA closed its investigation without any punishment.
This isn’t the first fan ejection in the NBA this week, as a Kings fan was ejected during a Sacramento-Suns game for going after Zach LaVine.
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