Russell Westbrook gets flipped off by Sixers fan (Video)

For some reason, this Philadelphia 76ers fan decided to flip off Russell Westbrook.

The 2016-17 NBA season saw another slate of games get underway way on the second day of the year. One of the marquee contests has Russell Westbrook leading the new-look Oklahoma City Thunder against the Philadelphia 76ers. OKC lost Kevin Durant in the offseason, and the Sixers had Joel Embiid play for the first time since being drafted in 2014, so there was plenty of hype around this game.

From the moment the ball got tipped, Westbrook received boos from the Wells Fargo Center crowd. Top players typically get a negative treatment on the road, so this isn’t surprising. However, what probably caught everyone off guard was this Sixers fan giving the double bird to the 27-year-old.

If you are offended by the use of the middle finger, please do not watch the video below.

Westbrook either looked very confused or wonder if anyone saw that. Commentary didn’t note if this fan got escorted out of the arena, but given this unnecessary act, he probably should be taken out. There’s no reason to do that, especially when you’re sitting about two feet away from the player. It’s a product of the fans being able to sit close to the court, which some take for granted on occasion.

As for the game, it has seen a range of emotions early on, mostly due to Westbrook getting booed and the fans going wild any time Embiid touches the ball. It has made for an atmosphere mostly unseen in Philadelphia basketball these past few years.

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Russell Westbrook may be on a mission, though, to take this Thunder team as far as possible without Durant. Wednesday night began the journey, which they will hope can culminate in a deep playoff run next spring.