Warriors investor gets 1-year ban, $500K fine for Lowry shove, obscene language

The NBA banned Golden State Warriors investor Mark Stevens from attending any league games or team activities for one year and fined him $500,000 Thursday for the Game 3 incident involving Kyle Lowry.

Stevens pushed the Toronto Raptors point guard and directed "obscene language" toward him during Wednesday's NBA Finals game, the league said in a statement, courtesy of Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix.

"A team representative must be held to the highest possible standard and the conduct of Golden State Warriors investor Mark Stevens last night was beyond unacceptable and has no place in our league," NBA VP of communications Mike Bass said in an earlier statement.

Sources close to the Warriors told Dylan Byers of NBC News that Stevens, a venture capitalist, will likely be forced to sell his shares in the franchise prior to the 2019-20 season. Stevens bought a share of the Warriors in 2013 when Vivek Ranadive sold his stake in the team in order to become the majority owner of the Sacramento Kings.

"Mr. Stevens' behavior last night did not reflect the high standards that we hope to exemplify as an organization," the Warriors said earlier Thursday. "We're extremely disappointed in his actions and, along with Mr. Stevens, offer our sincere apology to Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors organization for this unfortunate misconduct. There is no place for such interaction between fans - or anyone - and players at an NBA game."

Early in the fourth quarter of Game 3, Lowry crashed into the courtside seats while attempting to track down a loose ball. As he gathered himself, Stevens reached over and pushed the All-Star, prompting an immediate reaction from Lowry.

The National Basketball Players Association also reiterated its support for a "zero-tolerance" policy in respect to verbal or physical assault on players.

Forbes estimates Stevens' present-day net worth at $2.3 billion, ranking him No. 962 among the world's wealthiest people.