ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 02: Forward Isabelle Harrison #20 of the Dallas Wings reacts in the final seconds of the second half as the Dallas Wings beat the Atlanta Dream 72-68 at College Park Center on September 02, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors Gary Payton II and Jordan Poole sat courtside for a Dallas Wings game and were booed by surrounding Dallas basketball fans.
It’s always great to see NBA players support WNBA players by showing up — that’s what the Phoenix Suns did for the Phoenix Mercury, and players like Skylar Diggins-Smith appreciated seeing them at the game.
But in this case, it may have been a good idea for Gary Payton II and Jordan Poole to sit this one out. At the Dallas Wings game, they were smack in enemy territory, and Wings fans weren’t appreciative of it. Payton II and Poole just so happened to show up to watch the Wings while their Golden State Warriors team is beating the Dallas Mavericks 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals.
“They put them up on the big screen and everybody booed,” according to the game announcer.
The video coincides perfectly with seeing Poole hide his face behind his hand and Payton II laugh as they seem to find the lacking enthusiasm amusing.
Dallas Wings crowd booed Gary Payton II and Jordan Poole for Dubs-Mavs series
Although Poole had a low-scoring night on Sunday with just 10 points in 28 minutes, the Warriors still came away with a 109-100 win in Dallas. Poole has been a major contributor throughout the season, and while Payton II’s star has finally risen, he’s recently remained on the sideline.
Payton II has been out since he was injured on a Dillon Brooks foul, but Payton II recently penned a letter to Warriors fans in The Players’ Tribune detailing how he was dealing with the injury. Payton II explained that he isn’t upset at Dillon Brooks or anyone else, just determined to get back into the lineup after six years of fighting to make it in the NBA.
Even if the Mavericks are losing this series to the Warriors, the Wings came away with the win on Saturday against the Minnesota Lynx with 94-78. Although the WNBA season just kicked off this month, the Wings have an early lead with a 4-2 record and the second seed in the Western Conference.