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New video reveals sheriff's deputy started altercation with Masai Ujiri after Game 6

arun srinivasan
Contributing Writer
·2 min read

A new video has emerged of an altercation between Alameda County sheriff’s deputy Alan Strickland and Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, which reveals the officer to be the aggressor in an incident that occurred directly after Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

Ujiri made his way towards the court to join the Raptors for the customary on-court championship celebration, where his team would receive the Larry O’Brien Trophy, while Kawhi Leonard received his award for winning NBA Finals MVP.

KTVU FOX 2, based out of the Bay Area, obtained new video footage, which reveals Strickland to be the initial aggressor in the altercation.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: President Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Charlotte Hornets during the 2019 Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 10, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
A new video revealed that Toronto Raptors president did not start the altercation against a sheriff's deputy after Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Ujiri’s legal team also released video of the body camera footage, as obtained by Diamond Leung of The Athletic.

Attorneys representing Ujiri stated Strickland was “undeniably the initial aggressor,” according to KTVU.

In the video, Ujiri makes his way past a host of fans, a security guard and other credentialed members on his way to the Oracle Arena floor. Strickland sees Ujiri coming, points at him, and as Ujiri holds out his credential, the sheriff’s deputy shoves the Raptors’ president.

After the first shove, Strickland and Ujiri exchanged words, before the latter held out his credential once again, in an attempt to access the floor. This time, Strickland pushes Ujiri back with more force, and Ujiri shoved Strickland back.

Strickland, who had to be restrained by bystanders and other credentialed members, tries to get other security personnel involved, before Ujiri is ushered onto the court without further incident.

No criminal charges were ever filed against Ujiri, with prosecutors dismissing the possibility in October 2019.

Strickland hasn’t returned to work since getting involved in the altercation with Ujiri and filed a lawsuit against the Raptors’ president in a Northern California district court, claiming that he incurred injuries that “caused and continue to cause great mental, physical, emotional and psychological pain and suffering” as a result.

Ujiri called the lawsuit ‘malicious’ and the Raptors vehemently refuted Strickland’s account of the incident.

The Raptors also released the following statement:

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