Suns and Clippers Fans Get Into Brawl After Game 1 of Western Conference Finals

Suns and Clippers fans exchanged blows after Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, a week after Devin Booker rewarded the "Suns in 4" guy with tickets.

Fans react as Rajon Rondo handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns.
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Image via Getty/Christian Petersen

Fans react as Rajon Rondo handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns.

The Los Angeles Clippers took the loss in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. Then, two Clippers fans felt the agony of defeat after the game, when they were feeling likeΒ Jon Snow in the β€œBattle of the Bastards” episode in Game of Thrones byΒ allowingΒ a verbal conflict to turn physical inside an arena filled with Suns fans.Β 

In the clip below, it appears that one of the Clippers fans in a Kawhi Leonard jersey sets things off by throwingΒ the first punch before a wave of Suns faithful pounced onΒ the two, and made quick work of them.Β 

Suns in 4 pic.twitter.com/hci9zOqnsi

— Hayden (@hayden_sandman) June 20, 2021

Some people can also be heard yelling β€œSuns in 4,” a reference toΒ an incident duringΒ Phoenix’s last series where one of their fans single-handedly disposed of a duo of overzealous Denver Nuggets supportersΒ before reminding them that the Suns were winning the series in four games. The incident caught the attention of Suns star Devin Booker, who took to Twitter to seek out the information of the mystery guy, who weΒ later found out was Nick McKellar.Β 

McKellarΒ sent Booker a DM, apologizing for making Suns fans look bad, and explainedΒ that he was only acting in self-defense. According to ESPN, Book rewarded the fan’s fierce loyalty with a signed jersey and tickets to Game 1. Former NBA player and analystΒ Richard Jefferson questioned whether such actions β€œcould set a bad precedent.”

Several fans walking into the arena with this β€œSuns in 4” guy t-shirt that's being handed out by someone outside, via @NotoriousOHM. pic.twitter.com/jutuoRBKT8

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 20, 2021

During Game 1, the β€œSuns in 4” guy was treated like a local celebrity.Β 

Suns In 4 Guy is in the building πŸ‘€

(via draftrounders/IG) pic.twitter.com/HdobJNWIjf

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 20, 2021

Wait a minute. Not a post beat up explainer video πŸ’€πŸ’€πŸ’€πŸ’€πŸ’€πŸ’€ pic.twitter.com/wR3hB1iy3C

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) June 20, 2021

Meanwhile, one of theΒ Nuggets fans that he punched is nowΒ telling his side of the story.

These Suns fans aren’t expecting free tickets to Game 2 now, are they?Β 

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