VIDEO: Lance Stephenson returns to a mix of cheers, boos

A lot of the talking heading into Wednesday’s game between the Pacers and Charlotte Hornets was how the crowd at Bankers Life Fieldhouse would treat Lance Stephenson. Would they welcome him back and give him a big cheer or would they take hold a grudge that he left after four seasons over the summer and boo him.

Stephenson visited with Pacers assistant coach Popeye Jones prior to the game.

Admittedly, Stephenson was nervous for the game and curious what kind of reception he would receive.

If he was booed, he said before morning shootaround that “Definitely it’ll hurt. But I’m on the other team so if I hear a boo, I won’t be upset ’cause I know how the fans embrace here and they love me here. I won’t be mad if they boo me but I’ll be a little disappointed.”

Pacers coach Frank Vogel hoped that Pacers fans wouldn’t boo him.

“I don’t expect any boos,” Vogel said, “and if there’s boos, then it’s wrong. He’s part of the family. He’s not a Pacer right now but he grew up here, cut his teeth in this league with our franchise and he’s one of us. I expect our fans to really embrace him.”

Throughout the game, Pacers fans, especially those in Area 55 and the G2 Zone, the team’s two official fan sections, booed him each time he touched the ball. After Stephenson committed his first foul, fans taunted him by chanting, “He’s not ready.”

Watching for yourself below as Stephenson takes the floor and is introduced.

Lance and the Hornets take the floor for pre-game warmups: