Intermission entertainment at NBA and college basketball games often involve challenges that incorporate fan participation. Often, fans try to at the very least not embarrass themselves with a poor performance.
But one Atlanta Hawks fan at the team’s Tuesday night game against the Portland Trail Blazers couldn’t even manage to get the ball in the hoop once before injuring himself.
The fan – named James – and his opponent – named Dez – were set to play a game of Tic-Tac-Toe. Essentially, the two contestants had to run down the court and complete a lay-up before running back to center court to lay down an ‘X’ or an ‘O’ and then repeating until someone got three in a row.
With the rules explained, in-arena host Shamea Morton counted them down to begin and the two contestants raced off.
Unfortunately for James, he ran down the court and appeared to slip as he ran before he could even put up a shot.
After hitting the ground, he immediately reached for his left knee.
Two Atlanta Hawks fans – Dez (L) and James (R) – took part in an in-game shooting contest
As he approached the basket, James lost his footing, slipped, and hit the court hard
After falling to the ground, James immediately grabbed for his left knee in serious pain
All this was captured on camera and broadcast on the video boards at the 16,600 capacity State Farm Arena.
As he lay on the ground clutching at his leg, Dez continued playing while completely unaware of what was happening.
Meanwhile, arena operations staff checked in on the injured contestant as he lay on the ground writhing in pain.
As Dez began rushing back to drop his third ‘O’ he realized what was going on and slowed down while trying to take in the situation.
Morton remarked, ‘Can you just be kind and come over with me and check on James? God, Dez, we know you won but okay.’
At this point, medical staff began checking on James and the segment came to an abrupt end as Dez went up to James to check on him and Morton made an awkward face into the camera.
Hawks.com said that the injury was not, in fact, an April Fool’s Day prank. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported a wheelchair was brought out for the fan, followed by a stretcher.
Eventually, a stretcher was brought out for him and he was wheeled off the court to applause
Hawks players and fans applauded James as he was taken off the court.
No further word has been given on James’ current condition.
The Hawks fell to the Trail Blazers 127-113. Hawks guard Trae Young led the team with a double-double of 29 points and 15 assists while backcourt mate Dyson Daniels had his own double-double of 22 points and ten rebounds.
Meanwhile, Portland was led in points by guard Shaedon Sharpe’s 33 point, ten assist double-double and Deni Avdija’s triple-double of 32 points, 15 rebounds, and ten assists.
The Hawks currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference. They are in the second play-in spot, tied on points with the Orlando Magic. Atlanta is five points behind the final automatic playoff spot currently held by the Milwaukee Bucks.