Thunder: Lil Wayne welcome but needs ticket

The Thunder say Lil Wayne is welcome to attend a playoff game in Oklahoma City, but needs to buy a ticket just like everyone else.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Thunder say Lil Wayne is welcome to attend a playoff game in Oklahoma City, but he needs to buy a ticket just like everyone else.

The rapper created a stir Thursday night by posting on Twitter: "Was going to go to the Thunder game tonight but was denied by the team to be in their arena. Wow. Smh. Go Spurs!"

In a text message to ESPN's Colleen Dominguez, Lil Wayne wrote, "They denied me the tix. Didnt want me in their arena. They also said if I do come, I can only sit behind the bench, not on the floor & that I wouldn't be able to get any special escort nor entrance. They said its the 'Oklahoma way'."

Thunder spokesman Dan Mahoney says Lil Wayne's representatives did contact the team requesting tickets but insisted that he sit on the front row, and none of those seats was available. Oklahoma City sold out every home game during the regular season and playoffs this season.

Mahoney says: "We'd love to have him at a game, but like anyone else, he needs a ticket."

Kevin Durant told USA Today he has two extra courtside tickets that he'd be willing to hand over.

"We need people like that around here," Durant told USA Today.

Lil Wayne told Dominguez that even though he appreciates Durant's offer, he won't be able to make Game 4.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.