P.J. Tucker said Lance Stephenson’s last-second shot was ‘classless’

Shortly after Lance Stephenson’s late-game layup caused a skirmish between the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers, P.J. Tucker told reporters the Pacers guard’s antics were “classless.”

“I don’t know what it was: He’s number chasing. I don’t know what he’s doing,” Tucker said after the Raptors’ 108-90 loss to the Pacers on Tuesday, according to ESPN. “The game was over. Five seconds on the clock, you’re up 15. The game was over. Good game. It’s classless. Period.”

With the Pacers up 16 and less than 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Stephenson caught the ball on an outlet pass with no defenders in sight. But instead of dribbling the clock out, Indiana’s newest signing added insult to injury by converting the layup. He then trotted back on defense before Tucker and DeMar DeRozan met him at halfcourt, fuming mad.

An altercation ensued:

“Nobody cares about his reputation. I could care less. I don’t even know who he is,” Tucker said. “He’s just maybe happy he got back in the league. I don’t know what he’s so hype about, but it don’t matter.

“It’s a way to win, it’s a way to lose. And that ain’t the way you win.”

Stephenson later apologized for taking that shot:

It’s almost impossible to think Tucker doesn’t know who Stephenson is. The senescent Raptors forward is set to make the first playoff appearance of his career, while Stephenson, 26, has played in 38 postseason games. Most Twitter users recognized Stephenson’s name before Tucker’s.

Stephenson signed a three-year deal worth $12 million with the Pacers after the Minnesota Timberwolves declined to extend his second 10-day contract for the remainder of the season. It is his second stint with the Indiana team that drafted him 40th overall in 2010.

Stephenson enjoyed the highs of his career as a sixth man for Indiana in 2014 but opted to sign with the Charlotte Hornets in his ensuing free agency. He then bounced around between the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies. Stephenson signed with the New Orleans Pelicans at the beginning of this season but was waived after suffering a groin injury.