The NBA promise of a clampdown came as the Knicks confirmed they had banned the fan who spat on Young during a Wednesday playoff game at Madison Square Garden.
Wizards coach Scott Brooks defended his star player, saying he hopes the fan would not be allowed back in the building. The fan was led away by security.
The Grizzlies, fueled by a double-double of 18 points and 21 rebounds from Jonas Valanciunas, beat the Toronto Raptors 109-99 as the 10th-placed San Antonio Spurs fell 102-124 to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Despite the defeat, the Hornets finished the day half a game ahead of Atlanta in fifth place in the East, after the Hawks fell 126-102 to the Denver Nuggets.
The 18-time NBA All-Star retired from the league in 2016 after one of the most decorated careers in basketball history, and is the NBA's fourth all-time leading scorer.
Also, Zion Williamson finished with 31 points as the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 144-113 to salvage the final contest of a four-game road swing.