Wizards coach Mike Batiste goes after fan at end of loss

The Washington Wizards have been going through some really tough times lately, and their frustration seems to be spilling over to their coaches.

Wizards assistant coach Mike Batiste went into the stands to go after a fan at the end of his team’s 121-100 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night. It was Washington’s eighth loss in nine games.

Batiste, who was sitting in the second row and behind his team’s players, started to make his way towards a fan a few rows behind the Wizards bench. Batiste was held back by some Wizards players, including Montrezl Harrell and Thomas Bryant.

The incident with a fan and the Wizards bench in which Harrell had to intervene: pic.twitter.com/IiNXUp7Z8x

— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) February 8, 2022

No physical contact was made between Batiste and the fan, but it was clear Batiste was ticked off.

Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. says he missed the moment as it was happening. But he shared some thoughts after the game.

“To my understanding, a fan or several fans said something that was out of line. Obviously, we have to take the high road and just can’t indulge in that. I think it was a situation where something was said that was a bit over the line and I think it got the best of one of our coaches. Either way, you have to take the high road,” Unseld said.

Batiste, 44, is a Manager of Player Development for the Wizards. Prior to joining Washington, he served as an assistant coach for the Magic and the Hornets. He was known for being somewhat hot-tempered even during his playing days.