For the second time this week, the Utah Jazz have permanently banned a fan for a verbal altercation with Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook, the Desert News reported Friday. The latest ban stems from an incident during the 2018 playoffs. Prior to Game 4 of the Thunder’s first-round matchup against the Jazz, a fan called Westbrook “boy.” “Don’t call me boy,” Westbrook responded before flagging down security to handle the matter. A source told the Deseret News that the Jazz had tracked down the fan from a cellphone video of the incident. He was not identified. On Tuesday, the Jazz permanently banned Shane Keisel for engaging in “inappropriate interaction” with Westbrook during Monday’s game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City. Westbrook said after the contest that he was the victim of a disrespectful comment that he took as a racial barb. Westbrook was fined $25,000 by the NBA for “directing profanity and threatening language to a fan.” The Jazz said they conducted an investigation through video and eyewitness accounts and Keisel’s ban is based on “excessive and derogatory verbal abuse directed at a player” that serves as a violation of the NBA Code of Conduct. Team owner Gail Miller addressed the crowd in Salt Lake City before Thursday night’s game against Minnesota. “This should never happen,” she said. “We are not a racist community.” –Field Level Media
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