Lance Stephenson Responds to Raptors' Criticism of Layup with Instagram Post

The Toronto Raptors took exception to Lance Stephenson's decision to break an unwritten rule Tuesday night when he converted a layup in the waning seconds of the Indiana Pacers' 108-90 win at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. 

On Wednesday, Stephenson responded with a post on Instagram that depicted Raptors guard Norman Powell throwing down a windmill dunk in the final stages of a 24-point win over the Philadelphia 76ers last April to highlight what he believes was hypocrisy on Toronto's part. 

In the caption, Stephenson wrote: "They got mad at me for what I did but look at this. All I did was jelly. When Lance Stephenson do it's a big deal." 

Not only did Stephenson's decision to head to the tin with time winding down incite an altercation on the floor, but it provoked Raptors swingman PJ Tucker to lash out at him after the game.

"Tasteless. Classless. There’s nowhere in the league for that," Tucker said, per Vigilant Sports' Scott Agness. 

"There’s a way to win, there’s a way to lose in this league, and that ain’t the way to win. That ain't the way you finish games. I think those guys know that. That dude has no class. He has no taste."

Stephenson, for his part, apologized after realizing he made a mistake.  

"I was caught in the moment," he said, according to the Pacers' official Twitter account. "I just want to say sorry to them. I didn't mean no harm. The crowd was chanting me on, and I just wanted to do it for the fans."