In a video seen on social media, a fan in a Mavericks jersey is escorted out of the building as an angry Paul yells, “Hey! Hey! Hey! See you later! See you later!”. It’s unclear if the fan was the one who allegedly had physical contact with Paul’s family.
In a statement to CNN, the Mavericks said: “The Dallas Mavericks are aware of an incident between a fan and Chris Paul’s family. It was unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated. The Mavericks, along with American Airlines Center, quickly removed the fan from today’s game.”
On the court, Paul recorded more fouls than points for the first time in his postseason career, finishing with six fouls and five points as he fouled for the first time since 2018.
“I can’t put myself in situations to give [the referees] that ability to do that,” Paul said according to ESPN. “I just have to look at myself and figure out how to be better.”
Consequently, the Suns were without Paul early in the fourth quarter, and the Mavs, led by Luka Doncic’s 26 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, took advantage of his absence.
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Though Doncic shot just 1-for-10 from deep, the rest of his team made up for it, going 19-for-34 from behind the 3-point line while the Suns were only able to muster 9-for-25.
Dorian Finney-Smith contributed a playoff career-high 24 points along with eight rebounds for the Mavs, including three in a row midway through the quarter.
“Luka told me when he had five 3-pointers, he was like, ‘You’re about to get more,'” Finney-Smith, who finished one shy of Dallas’ franchise-record nine 3-pointers in the playoffs, told reporters. “When LD tells you that you’re about to get some three more, I thought he was going to get some.”
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the Mavs, who bounced back after being beaten by the Suns in Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
“We understand that it’s a series and it’s the playoffs for a reason,” Devin Booker told the media after the game, after he led the way for the Suns with 35 points and seven assists.
“The best teams in the NBA are here and nobody wants to lose. So take it all in, clean this game up and come out with the right mindset. If we are worried about the last two games all the time, I think we are at a disadvantage.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday in Phoenix.
76ers 2-2 series tie
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers overcame Jimmy Butler’s 40-point performance to beat the Miami Heat 116-108 in Philadelphia on Sunday night to tie up their playoff series 2-2.
With MVP candidate Joel Embiid sidelined with an orbital fracture and torn thumb ligament for the first two games, the Sixers worked from an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series.
But Embiid’s return, complete with a protective mask, has helped buoy Philadelphia. The Cameroonian had 24 points and 11 rebounds, while James Harden played his best game of the series, adding 31 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and shooting 6 of 10 from deep.
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“It’s just James being James,” Sixers head coach Doc Rivers said after the game. “I felt like I was going to have a great game tonight. You can feel it.”
The 76ers took an eight-point halftime lead, shooting nearly 64% from the field during the first half.
However, Philly couldn’t walk away as the team committed 16 turnovers that Miami converted into 24 points.
Butler did his best to keep the Heat in the game with his heavy scoring load to carry the team, but it wasn’t enough for Miami as the rest of the team did little to help.
“We have to get back to being a defensive-minded team,” Butler told reporters after the game. “I have to go back and look like everyone else and see how I can get everyone involved and everyone feel comfortable.”
To further complicate matters for the Heat, guard Kyle Lowry re-injured his left hamstring, making him a doubt for Game 5.
The Heat will hope to work out their offensive and defensive game for Game 5, which takes place Tuesday in Miami.
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