Golden State Warriors minority owner Mark Stevens has been banned from attending his team's games, after shoving Toronto guard Kyle Lowry during the NBA Finals on Thursday (NZT).
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Warriors have banned Stevens from attending games and any Warriors team activities for one year, and also fined him $500,000 (NZ$754,682) for his actions.
The ban is effective immediately, and will carry through the 2019-20 season and postseason.
The Warriors initially announced that Stevens would not attend any of the remaining NBA Finals games, while they looked into the matter further.
Now they have, Stevens will be limited to watching his investment on TV.
The incident occurred early in the fourth quarter of game three, which the Raptors won 123-109 to take a 2-1 series lead.
"A team representative must be held to the highest possible standard, and the conduct of the Golden State Warriors investor Mark Stevens last night was beyond unacceptable and has no place in our league," said an NBA statement.
"As the review of this matter continues, Mr Stevens will not be permitted to attend NBA games."
NBA superstar LeBron James, who isn't competing in the NBA Finals for the first time in eight seasons, called out Stevens on Instagram.
"When you sit courtside, you absolutely know what comes with being on the floor and if you don't know, it's on the back on the ticket itself that states the guidelines," James said in his post.
"But he himself, being a fan, but more importantly, PART-OWNER of the Warriors, knew exactly what he was doing, which was so uncalled for.
"He knew the rules more than just the average person sitting watching the game courtside, so for that something needs to be done ASAP! A swift action for his actions.
"Just think to yourself, what if @kyle_lowry7 would have reacted and put his hands back on him. You guys would be going CRAZY!! Calling for him to damn near be put in jail, let alone being suspended for the rest of the Finals, all because he was protected himself.
"I've been quiet throughout the whole NBA playoffs, watching every game [haven't missed one], but after I saw what I saw last night, took time to let it manifest into my thinking. I couldn't and wouldn't be quiet on this!"
Lowry said Stevens hadn't personally reached out to him, but praised the NBA for taking action.
"I don't think there is any reason," Lowry said. "For me personally, I don't know him.
"I don't care to know him. He showed his true colours at the time.
"A guy like that shouldn't be a part of our league. Being honest with you, that's my personal opinion."
Game four of the series is scheduled for Saturday.
Newshub.