Raptors' Masai Ujiri says he was assaulted after 2019 NBA Finals

The assault allegations against Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri have taken a turn in another direction.

Ujiri said in legal papers Thursday that he was assaulted by Sheriff's Deputy Alan Strickland while trying to access the court after the Raptors won the NBA title in Game 6 against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019, according to The Athletic's Daniel Kaplan.

On the other side of things, Strickland accused Ujiri of hitting him after the final buzzer and he also sued the NBA for saying he was the main aggressor in the case.

Here is how Ujiri responded, according to Kaplan.

“As Mr. Ujiri attempted to enter the court, Mr. Strickland assaulted him, forcefully shoving him back once and then twice. Mr. Ujiri then shoved Mr. Strickland in the chest. Other than the shoves, the two men did not have any further physical contact with each other. The entire encounter between Mr. Strickland and Mr. Ujiri was brief. Mr. Ujiri was eventually escorted to the court where he joined his team, accepted the championship trophy, and gave a live on camera interview.”

And here is exactly what Strickland accused Ujiri of.

“Masai Ujiri repeatedly ignored Plaintiff Alan Strickland’s orders to stop and return to the arena security official. Masai Ujiri then attacked Plaintiff Alan Strickland and hit him in the face and chest with both fists. The force…from Masai Ujiri’s attack sent Plaintiff Alan Strickland backwards several feet.”

Ujiri wanted to join the Raptors' celebration on-court celebration following the victory as any NBA team executive would. No matter what happened in this case, things should be settled in court in the coming months.

Both Ujiri and Strickland are requesting a jury trial, but no date has been set for that amid the coronavirus outbreak.