Fan Runs Onto NBA Finals Court for Selfie With Wembanyama, Receives Lifetime Ban
A fan ran onto the court during the fourth quarter of the New York Knicks' 105-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The league issued lifetime bans to two individuals involved.
loudwire.comA fan ran onto the Frost Bank Center court during the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night and attempted to take a selfie with San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. The incident occurred with 6:28 remaining while the New York Knicks held a 92-86 lead.
The fan carried a cellphone in his right hand, stopped near the 3-point line in front of Wembanyama and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, and was pushed away by two security guards.
The Knicks defeated the Spurs 105-95. One fan was arrested, and both individuals received lifetime bans from all NBA arenas, an NBA spokesperson said Thursday. Replays showed Wembanyama looking confused and smiling toward the phone.
"I've never been in that situation," Wembanyama said. "It really surprised me, almost as much as that time [when] a bat crossed the court," before a January 2024 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After the fan was removed, Spurs guard Dylan Harper lost control of the ball while guarded by Knicks forward Mikal Bridges.
Officials called a jump ball at center court because they could not determine which team last had possession. Wembanyama won the jump ball and play resumed. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said the interruption did not affect the game.
"I don't think it was an event at all," he said. "I thought security got him out of there. The NBA spokesperson issued the statement on Thursday.
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