Fan ejected after exchange with JaVale McGee as Suns escape with win against Magic

ORLANDO, Fla. – Security apparently heard what was said even if several Phoenix Suns say they didn't after a fan was ejected following an exchange with JaVale McGee.

During the fourth quarter of the Suns’ 102-99 victory Tuesday night over the Orlando Magic, a fan was apparently talking trash to Deandre Ayton, who wound up hitting the eventual game-winning shot with 1:31 left.

Those in the area said the fan, sitting baseline by the Suns bench, said Ayton "wasn’t worth the money” and called him “a little (expletive)."

Remember, Ayton didn't receive a desired rookie max extension as the two sides didn't agree to any extension at all, thus making the top pick in the 2018 draft a restricted free agent after this season. 

Enter McGee.

The emotional leader of the Suns ended up exchanging f-bombs and more words with the fan.

Shortly after, Suns security called for the fan to go.

The Magic security proceeded to talk with the fan and lead him out of the court area.

"Fans tend to say things sometimes courtside," said Suns guard Landry Shamet. "They forget that this is real life. It’s not a zoo. Can’t just talk to people any type of way. I don’t know what was said but it was enough to, obviously, to warrant him getting kicked out."

When asked after the game about the fan saying something to him, Ayton said: "Couldn’t have been talking to me because I don’t know what ya’ll talking about. I’m so locked into the game."

Question: You didn’t see him and JaVale got into it?

Ayton: "Nah. I was just too locked in. The way our timeout circle is, you can’t really see or hear. You see Coach and your teammates. I think It was a close game as well when you start hearing all that ruckus."

Question: So you didn’t hear the fan?

Ayton: "I don’t hear nobody to be honest. I hear my mama. That’s it. I don’t hear nobody in the stands. Nada. I just stay and try to win this game."

Ayton wasn't the only member of the Suns who said they didn't hear the exchange.

Said coach Monty Williams: “I don’t know what happened. I can’t even like tell you. I never focus on that stuff. Once the game starts, it’s like, something happens to me. All I can do is focus on what’s happening on the court. I looked over there and I didn’t even register that something was going on. Now you said it, I guess that’s what it was.”

Said guard Cameron Payne: “Nah. I’m so locked in on the game. I really wasn’t paying attention. I saw ‘Vale talking to him. I don’t really know what took place.”

Follow Suns Insider Duane Rankin on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.