Toronto Raptors

Golden State Warriors president Rick Welts issued an apology Friday to Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri after body-cam footage was released showing a confrontation with a police officer following the Raptors' championship-clinching win in the 2019 NBA Finals last June.

Alameda County sheriff's deputy Alan Strickland filed a lawsuit against Ujiri alleging assault, but a countersuit filed by Ujiri this week included a video showing Strickland pushing the Raptors president and telling him to "back the f--k up" as he tried to gain court access, per ESPN.

Welts apologized in a Twitter thread:

"To my personal and professional friend Masai Ujiri, I am heartbroken seeing the video of what should have been the happiest professional moment of your life. It's hard to watch and to know all that swirled around you in the aftermath.

"While we had no role in hiring or managing security at our old arena, it happened at a Warriors game and for that I apologize. You rose above it which doesn't surprise me or anyone who knows you. Now...go make some noise in the bubble!"

Ujiri previously released a statement using the troublesome incident as evidence of the Black Lives Matter movement's importance:

"The video sadly demonstrates how horribly I was treated by a law enforcement officer last year in the midst of my team, the Toronto Raptors, winning its first world championship. It was an exhilarating moment of achievement for our organization, for our players, for our city, for our country, and for me personally, given my long-tenured professional journey in the NBA. Yet, unfortunately, I was reminded in that moment that despite all of my hard work and success, there are some people, including those who are supposed to protect us, who will always and only see me as something that is unworthy of respectful engagement. And, there's only one indisputable reason why that is the case—because I am Black.

"What saddens me most about this ordeal is that the only reason why I am getting the justice I deserve in this moment is because of my success. Because I'm the president of an NBA team, I had access to resources that ensured I could demand and fight for my justice. So many of my brothers and sisters haven't had, don't have, and won't have the same access to resources that assured my justice. And that's why Black Lives Matter."

Ujiri was hired as the Raptors' general manager in May 2013 after being named the NBA's Executive of the Year for the 2012-13 season while serving in the same role with the Denver Nuggets.

Toronto leads the Brooklyn Nets 3-0 in its first-round playoff series as the organization attempts to defend its 2019 title. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry offered his support for Masai Ujiri and said the team president did nothing wrong during his altercation with an Alameda County Sheriff's Office deputy following the 2019 NBA Finals. 

"It was extremely emotional to watch," Lowry said Friday. "It took away from the moment for Masai. ... Masai did nothing wrong. We're just down here and we're gonna continue to use our voice and our platform to shed light on the things that are wrong in our world and our country."

Lowry also said it was a glaring example of why players are fighting for social justice and kneeling during the national anthem as a way of protesting police brutality and systemic racism.

His comments came after Ujiri issued a statement Thursday saying the incident happened because he is Black. The Raptors also issued a statement supporting their president:

Andrew Lopez of ESPN reported the team met on Tuesday to watch the newly released bodycam footage that depicted the deputy grabbing and shoving Ujiri while telling him to "back the f--k up." Ujiri was walking toward the court at Oracle Arena to celebrate his team's championship win over the Golden State Warriors.

The team president filed a countersuit against deputy Alan Strickland regarding the incident. The officer filed a lawsuit in February against Ujiri, the Raptors, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and the NBA alleging Ujiri hit him and claiming he "suffered injury to his head, body, health, strength, nervous system and person" and suffered "permanent disability" as a result.

Like Lowry, Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell both said the altercation was an example of what players are fighting against when using their platforms, per Lopez.

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri released a statement Thursday about his 2019 altercation with an Alameda County sheriff's deputy:

Body camera footage was released Tuesday that shows the officer, Alan Strickland, shoved Ujiri at the start of the confrontation:

Ujiri was attempting to go on the court after the Raptors won the NBA title over the Golden State Warriors. Even with his credentials in hand, he was pushed before getting a chance to show them.

"I was reminded in that moment that despite all my hard work and success, there are some people, including those who are supposed to protect us, who will always and only see me as something that is unworthy of respectful engagement," Ujiri said. "And, there is only one indisputable reason why that is the case — because I'm black."

Strickland filed a lawsuit against Ujiri in February, alleging he shoved him hard enough to cause "physical injuries to his head, jaw, chin and teeth," per Lisa Fernandez of Fox 2. The guard also claimed Ujiri tried to "storm" the court before hitting him in the face.

Despite the video evidence, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office is standing by its initial claim.

"We 100 percent stand by [the] original statement that was released that Mr. Ujiri is the aggressor in this incident," the sheriff's office said, per Stephanie Smyth of CP 24. "Don't be quick to judge based off of what lawyers are saying."

Ujiri compared his situation to other interactions with authority figures while calling for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain, three Black men and women who were killed by police officers.

The Toronto Raptors reportedly took time out of their playoff preparations to meet as a team and view newly released footage of president Masai Ujiri's altercation with an Alameda County Sheriff's Office deputy following their 2019 NBA Finals victory. 

Andrew Lopez of ESPN reported the news, noting the footage was included as part of the countersuit Ujiri filed Tuesday and shows deputy Alan Strickland shoving the Raptors president and yelling at him to "back the f--k up" as he approached the Oracle Arena court with his credentials.

Raptors guard Fred VanVleet said the altercation calls attention to the larger fight against police brutality and systemic racism those in the league and many others have undertaken, especially following the killing of George Floyd:

"It's heavy stuff. Obviously we're all privileged, and Masai's pretty privileged in his world, and you just stop and think about how good we got it, because there's people who are gonna be in that same situation walking down the street who don't have money to fight the case, who don't have 20,000 people in the stands, and don't have the abilities to countersue. How many times do cops do things like that without the body cam on, without arena footage? It's a tough situation.

"It's just crazy to see how things work. It's unfortunate, and I think that's why we all are in the situation now and fighting for social justice and equality, because you see how quick things can get ugly just by somebody's word, or one bad cop, or a bunch of bad cops, or the system is kind of crooked and it's not designed for us."

Raptors guard Norman Powell echoed those sentiments.

"I'm glad we were able to get to the real bottom line and everyone can see what really happened," Powell said. "It's exactly what we're fighting for, for justice to be served for those cops who are taking the law a little bit into their own hands unnecessarily. We saw it as a team. We're very open and passionate about social justice."

The Raptors also issued a statement after the video was released and supported Ujiri:

Despite what the video shows, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office said, per Stephanie Smyth of CP24: "We 100 percent stand by [the] original statement that was released that Mr. Ujiri is the aggressor in this incident. Don't be quick to judge based off of what lawyers are saying."

Lisa Fernandez of Fox 2 reported Strickland filed a federal lawsuit in February against Ujiri, the Raptors, Maple Leaf Entertainment and the NBA regarding the incident.

The deputy said he suffered a number of injuries and also filed a workers' compensation claim. According to Strickland, Ujiri had a "violent predisposition" and attempted to "hit him in the face and chest with both fists."

However, Ujiri's attorneys said the video makes it clear that Strickland was "undeniably the initial aggressor."

Despite what newly released video evidence suggests, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office is reportedly sticking its story that Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri was the aggressor during a 2019 altercation with deputy Alan Strickland. 

"We 100 percent stand by [the] original statement that was released that Mr. Ujiri is the aggressor in this incident," the sheriff's office said, per Stephanie Smyth of CP 24. "Don't be quick to judge based off of what lawyers are saying."

The statement comes after video was released from Strickland's body camera that shows the deputy stopping Ujiri after the Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals and then pushing the team president as he is showing his credentials.

The Raptors issued a statement after the video released and stood by Ujiri:

Lisa Fernandez of Fox 2 reported Strickland filed a federal lawsuit in February against Ujiri, the Raptors, Maple Leaf Entertainment and the NBA and alleged he suffered injuries to his head, jaw, chin and teeth.

What's more, he filed a workers' compensation claim, said Ujiri has a "violent predisposition" and acted with "evil motive amounting to malice," and has not been to work in more than a year as a result. Strickland's workers' compensation claim alleged Ujiri tried to "storm" the court and "hit him in the face and chest with both fists."

Fernandez also noted Ujiri's lawyers questioned Strickland's apparent injuries, pointing to no visible facial swelling and no bruises, as well as video that shows him out for lunch and using a power saw.

Strickland was also arrested and convicted of insurance fraud in the past, which Fernandez wrote raised "questions about his integrity."

The Canadian Press reported Ujiri filed a countersuit on Tuesday in a U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., that describes Strickland as the aggressor and points to a pattern people have seen in similar circumstances:

"Sadly, Mr. Strickland's dishonest account of the encounter is a narrative that has become somewhat familiar: a law enforcement officer using their position engages in unjustified violence against a peaceful individual, then lies about the encounter by characterizing the victim as the aggressor. To be sure the great majority of law enforcement officers do not conduct themselves in this way. Mr. Strickland, however, has chosen dishonesty over integrity."

The altercation came on the floor at Oracle Arena after the Raptors clinched their NBA Finals victory over the Warriors in Game 6.

New video released from the body camera of an Alameda County sheriff's deputy and security cameras inside Oracle Arena provided new angles of the altercation between the deputy and Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri.

Lisa Fernandez of KTVU Fox 2 reported the news, noting Ujiri's attorneys said the footage shows deputy Alan Strickland was "undeniably the initial aggressor" on the floor after the Raptors clinched their NBA Finals win over the Golden State Warriors.

Fernandez detailed the footage that shows Strickland stopping Ujiri to check his credentials, which the Raptors president had.

However, Strickland put his arm out to stop Ujiri and then shoved him in the chest. He shoved Ujiri a second time after an onlooker grabbed Strickland's shoulder, which prompted the Raptors president to shove back.

"Why did you push me?" Ujiri asked the man, who said to "back the f--k up" during the altercation, according to Ujiri's attorneys. "I'm the president of the Raptors."

The Raptors issued a statement after the video was released, per Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated:

Fernandez noted Strickland filed a federal lawsuit against Ujiri, the Raptors, Maple Leaf Entertainment and the NBA and said he suffered injuries to his head, jaw, chin and teeth from the altercation.

He also said Ujiri had a "violent predisposition" and had an "evil motive amounting to malice."

Ujiri's lawyers issued a 108-page response that says the video helps vindicate the Raptors president.

"Mr. Strickland used unnecessary and excessive force," the counterclaim says. "There was no reason to view Mr. Ujiri as a threat to anyone and no reason for Mr. Strickland to curse at Mr. Ujiri and forcefully shove him as numerous witnesses observed."

As far as the actual basketball, the altercation came after Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals in which the Raptors secured their 4-2 victory.

Golden State was playing without an injured Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson suffered a torn ACL in the game. However, Kawhi Leonard cemented his Raptors legacy by leading his side to victory in what turned out to be his only season on the team.

Audrey Griffin, the former wife of Toronto Raptors assistant coach, Adrian Griffin, accused him Thursday of choking and abusing her on multiple occasions: 

Griffin responded with a statement saying he "vehemently" denied the accusations:

Audrey Griffin accused Adrian Griffin of dragging her out of her house, throwing a ceramic vase at her, giving her sexually transmitted diseases, soliciting prostitutes and having sex with a teenage ball girl. She also said he refused to follow a court order and did not pay child support.

Adrian Griffin said in his statement the couple is involved in a "longstanding legal dispute over alimony and child support arrangements."

The 46-year-old Griffin is a former NBA player who had stints with the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls and Seattle Supersonics.

After his career ended following the 2007-08 season he went into coaching, serving as an assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder before landing with the Raptors. 

Nick Nurse let Griffin take over the head-coaching duties for the team's 125-121 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. 

"For one night, I felt like Cinderella," Griffin told reporters after the win. "I had the glass slippers on."

Audrey Griffin appeared to reference that quote in her post. 

"How can you do ALL of this and still get away with it???" she wrote. "I will tell you how... just be in the NBA and win a game in the bubble. Cinderfella. That's how. Simple."

There's never a better time for an NBA assistant coach to use a Cinderella comparison than when the league is finishing its season at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin didn't miss his chance Wednesday.

"For one night, I felt like Cinderella," he said following a 125-121 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in which head coach Nick Nurse let him serve as the de facto head coach in the game, per Andrew Lopez of ESPN. "I had the glass slippers on."

Lopez noted Nurse is still credited with the win, according to NBA rules.

"Tomorrow, it's back to reality," Griffin added. "But it was an awesome feeling."

It was such a memorable experience for Griffin because he has yet to serve as a team's head coach.

Griffin began his coaching career as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2008-09, and he had ensuing stints with the Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder and Raptors. He joined Nurse's staff in 2018 and helped lead them to a championship last season.

All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry couldn't hide his excitement for Griffin after the game.

"It means the world. It means everything. It shows the humility of our coach, Nick Nurse, to have the understanding to give him a chance to coach us on national TV and have his first opportunity to coach a team from the first tip to the end of the game. He did an unbelievable job. Hopefully, Coach Griffin is a head coach soon. We'll miss him, but hopefully he gets that opportunity to be a head coach."

Griffin clearly did something right because his Raptors battled back from a 16-point deficit for a dramatic comeback win.

Stanley Johnson put them ahead for good with a putback in the final seconds, and Toronto's defense forced a turnover on the ensuing possession.

Lowry and Chris Boucher led the victors in scoring with 19 points each, while Tobias Harris scored 22 for a 76ers squad that was without an injured Ben Simmons for the entire game and an injured Joel Embiid for the second half.

Toronto is locked into the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed and will start its title defense with a first-round showdown against the Brooklyn Nets.

Toronto Raptors forward Patrick McCaw has left the NBA campus to receive treatment on his knee. 

Per an official statement from the team, McCaw has a "benign mass on the back of his left knee" that has caused discomfort since the Raptors' season restart on Aug. 1:

The Raptors noted there's no timetable for McCaw to return to the campus, and they will provide an update on his status "when appropriate."

Per the NBA's health protocols, players who leave the campus with permission must quarantine for four days upon returning as long as they undergo coronavirus testing for each day they are away and those tests come back negative. 

McCaw sat out all three of Toronto's scrimmages and hasn't appeared in any game since the team's season resumed on Aug. 1. His last appearance came on March 9, when he played more than 42 minutes in a 101-92 win over the Utah Jazz. 

In 37 games this season, McCaw is averaging 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. 

"Leadership is taking care of it."  

That's what Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said when asked about a picture of Terence Davis that showed the rookie guard wearing a mask with a hole in it. Nurse said both president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster spoke with Davis, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports.

Dan Feldman of NBC Sports shared the following tweet, noting "it's hard to give Davis the benefit of the doubt after his social-media activity" when he arrived for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers with the mask in question:

On Sunday, Marc Stein of the New York Times reported the league notified teams, asking them to re-emphasize the importance of masks to players and to even use part of their team meetings to spread the word.

What's more, the notification reminded teams that players can face fines, suspensions and even removal from the Walt Disney World Resort campus if they do not follow the rules. Repeat violators will also face stiffer penalties.

On the court, Davis scored three points in 13 minutes during Saturday's win over the Lakers and was scoreless in four minutes of Monday's victory over the Miami Heat.