The Sixth Man of the Year candidate Lou Williams, recently had a family emergency and left the NBA bubble. He was approved by the NBA to leave, attend a viewing for a family friend and follow all safety protocols.
Shortly after, pictures surfaced on the internet of Williams at the Atlanta strip club, Magic City. Rapper, Jack Harlow posted on his Instagram story, a picture with the Clippers guard. After reports came out that he violated health protocols, Williams immediately tweeted, “Ask any of my teammates what my favorite restaurant in Atlanta is. Ain’t nobody partying. Chill out lol. #MaskOn.” According to the Atlanta community, Magic City has some of the best food in the city.
Georgia native, Taylor Rooks, sports journalist and broadcaster, came to his defense, and tweeted, “As someone from Georgia …I guess this is not the time for a dialogue on how good the food is from Magic City.”
Williams claims he was making a quick stop to get food. The NBA investigated his actions and decided he will have a 10-day quarantine before he returns to action. He will be sidelined the first two seeding games, the NBA says. Head coach Doc Rivers said, “They were not happy to see the pictures of Williams at a reported social club while in Atlanta.”
William’s day-one fans tweeted about the love he has for the restaurant at Magic City. Apparently, Williams has a history of ordering Magic City food to his home. A fan tweeted, “If you were a fan or follower of Lou, you would know he eats at Magic City ritually. He orders it as catering to be delivered to his home on the regular.” Williams jokingly responded, “Leave it be. Just enjoy the memes lol.”
In an interview with Broadcaster Ros Gold-Onwude, three months ago, Williams shared how much he loves Magic City as a restaurant. “Magic City is my favorite restaurant in the world. Listen, all entertainment in Atlanta is shut down, the restaurant is still open. You can still go and get your food. It’s a part of our culture here.”
Co-host of Undisputed, Shannon Sharpe, tweeted, “Y’all thought Lou went for adult entertainment, but it’s the food, especially chicken wings, strips and catfish nuggets. That’s a must.”
The fifteen-year NBA veteran took criticism from many, including NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins, encouraging Williams to do better. Perkins mentioned how disturbing it is when a rookie, Zion Williamson can act more mature.
Williams clapped back by saying, “15 years in this business, and the most you have on my name is stopping to get hot wings during a pandemic. Perk. Shut Up. And stop laughing and saying it’s just T.V. when you run into me too.”
Williams is back with the Clippers in Orlando, and will miss the first two seeded games.