Raptors scuffle with Pacers after Stephenson breaks 'code'
After blowing a 19-point lead to the Pacers in Indiana on Tuesday, the Toronto Raptors were understandably frustrated. Lance Stephenson pushed them over the edge.
In his first game playing at home since resigning with the Pacers last week, 26-year-old Stephenson broke an unwritten code in the closing seconds of the game when he scored a layup with Indiana well ahead on the scoreboard. Mild mayhem ensued.
The Pacers and Raptors got into it after Lance Stephenson takes a last second layup while up 15. pic.twitter.com/Wf9RmPFJlu
— NBA Lowdown (@NBALowdown) April 5, 2017
Raptors DeMar DeRozan and P.J. Tucker were first to take exception to the late basket and had no problem letting the Pacers guard know exactly how they felt about it. Stephenson didn’t seem bothered by their fury.
After the game, however, the New York native conceded that the moment got the best of him.
Stephenson admitted that he got caught up in the moment of the last play and apologizes to the Raptors. pic.twitter.com/nk2Wk32XIQ
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 5, 2017
Meanwhile, Raptors coach Dwane Casey called it ‘bush-league’ and defended his players’ response.
The strength of Stephenson’s apology may be tested sooner rather than later if the two teams find themselves matched up as first-round playoff opponents.