SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Kings guard Iman Shumpert was stopped from going into Portland’s locker room by arena and Trail Blazers security after Sacramento’s 115-107 victory Monday night.
Shumpert apparently was angry at Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic, who set a hard screen in the second half.
“Some stuff needed to be between me and him, a conversation between two men,” Shumpert said. “Some stuff happened out there that we needed to have a conversation about. That’s it.”
Nurkic shrugged it off.
“I’m not going to worry about it,” he said. “He’s going into retirement soon. I’m not going to worry about a guy who’s going into retirement soon.”
The 28-year-old Shumpert was called for a technical foul in the third quarter. He later was walked to the bench by a teammate after arguing with someone on Portland’s bench.
After the game, Shumpert tweeted : “I apologize to the fans if I made a scene. Wasn’t my intention but this 2019 stuff is all about a `story.’ Don’t let that distract you from this young Scores ball club getting a great victory against a tested Blazers team.”
I apologize to the fans if I made a scene. Wasn't my intention but this 2019 stuff is all about a "story". Don't let that distract you from this young Scores ball club getting a great victory against a tested Blazers team #theScoresisHERE #purpletalk
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) January 15, 2019
An hour later, he tweeted a link to ESPN’s recap of the incident and tweeted the following: “Don’t believe the internet. I was respectful of their team’s space and privacy. I waited outside and asked to have a conversation. I was greeted by team security that talked to me and I left. No story. #scores win.”
Don't believe the internet.https://t.co/ZIjzlDiY52
I was respectful of their team's space and privacy. I waited outside and asked to have a conversation. I was greeted by team security that talked to me and I left. No story. #scores win.
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) January 15, 2019
