Thunder Say Announcer's 'Out of His Cotton-Picking Mind' Call Was 'Offensive and Inappropriate'

On Wednesday, the Thunder's play-by-play announcer said "Westbrook is out of his cotton-picking mind" after the point-guard assisted on a three-pointer.

Thunder vice president of broadcasting Dan Mahoney told Fred Katz of The Norman Transcript that when play-by-play announcer Brian Davis used the phrase "out of his cotton-picking mind" when referencing Russell Westbrook, it was "offensive and inappropriate."

In the second quarter of Oklahoma City's 137-123 win over the Grizzlies Wednesday, Davis used the phrase after Westbrook assisted a Terrence Ferguson three-pointer that pushed the team's lead to 15 points. Westbrook had collected five rebounds and another assist in a two-and-a-half minute span after coming off the bench prior to the play, and for the game, he had already tallied nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals in about 12 minutes of action.

"We think obviously the use of that term is offensive and inappropriate, and I expressed that to Brian [Wednesday] night," Mahoney told Katz. "Brian assures me it was not meant in any derogatory way, and he apologizes. But again, we feel strongly that it's inappropriate and offensive."

Watch the play below.

Mahoney also told Katz the Thunder would not make Davis address the comments on a future broadcast.

"That's really up to Brian," Mahoney told Katz. "Again, we've expressed to him strongly that it was offensive and inappropriate, and that's all we can do for right now."

Davis, who is a full-time employee of the team, will be suspended from the local television broadcast for Oklahoma City's playoff opener Sunday when the team hosts the Jazz, according to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman.

Davis also issued a statement on the one-game suspension.

It is with great remorse and humility that I accept this suspension for the insensitive words I used during Wednesday's broadcast. While unintentional, I understand and acknowledge the gravity of the situation. I offer my sincere apology and realize that, while I committed a lapse in judgment, such mistakes come with consequences. This is an appropriate consequence for my actions.

Thunder radio play-by-play announcer Matt Pinto will fill in for Davis.