Fan Barred for Pouring Popcorn on N.B.A.’s Russell Westbrook

The Philadelphia 76ers announced that a fan who poured popcorn on Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook as he departed the court after an injury at Wells Fargo Center will have his season tickets revoked and is barred indefinitely from the arena.

The incident occurred after Westbrook injured his ankle in the fourth quarter of the Wizards’ Game 2 loss to the 76ers on Wednesday. The fan was ejected by arena security.

N.B.A. arenas have only recently started allowing fans to return at or near full capacity.

“There are certain things that cross the line,” Westbrook told reporters after the game. “In these arenas, you got to start protecting the players. We’ll see what the N.B.A. does.”

On Thursday, the N.B.A. said in a statement: “The return of more N.B.A. fans to our arenas has brought great excitement and energy to the start of the playoffs, but it is critical that we all show respect for players, officials and our fellow fans. An enhanced fan code of conduct will be vigorously enforced in order to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all involved.”

Players across the league voiced frustration over the incident. “By the way WE AS THE PLAYERS wanna see who threw that popcorn on Russ while he was leaving the game tonight with a injury!!” Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James tweeted. “There’s cameras all over arenas so there’s no excuse!”

Westbrook said that he had learned to look the other way during most cases of fan vitriol, but that the situation was worsening. Three years ago, the Jazz barred a fan in Utah for, the team said, “excessive and derogatory verbal abuse directed at a player.” Westbrook, who is Black, said that fan, who appeared to be white, made “disrespectful” and “racial” comments.