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'Out of hand': NBA world outraged after fresh fan 'disgrace'

Andrew Reid
·3-min read
An NBA fan was escorted out of the arena after running onto the court during the Playoffs game. Pic: AP/TNT
An NBA fan was escorted out of the arena after running onto the court during the Playoffs game. Pic: AP/TNT

Basketball fans are calling on the NBA to crack down harder on unruly crowd behaviour after another Playoffs game was overshadowed by an incident involving a rogue fan.

The Washington Wizards staved off a series sweep with a 122-114 Game 4 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, who also lost superstar Joel Embiid to injury in a potentially massive blow.

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In what is becoming an worrying recent trend in the NBA, however, the idiotic actions of a supporter once again dominated much of the discussion around the game.

The incident occurred during the third quarter of the game when a spectator at Capitol One Arena ran onto the court and tried to touch the rim.

He was promptly tackled by a security guard before being rushed off the floor.

The security guard quickly escorted the intruder off the court and into the tunnel as fans in Washington booed loudly.

Play resumed shortly after the interruption, with the Wizards later announcing that the offending fan will face charges from Washington DC police and a ban from Capitol One Arena.

The incident is the latest in a series of unsavoury acts from NBA fans that have left basketball supporters fed up on social media.

Sixers reeling after Embiid injury

Of larger concern in Philadelphia is the status of Embiid, who missed most of the game with injury.

The 76ers' All-NBA centre fell hard on his tailbone late in the first quarter with Philadelphia leading by eight points.

He continued to play, but eventually exited the game with 36.5 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Seen here, Joel Embiid leaves the court for the Sixers against the Wizards.
Joel Embiid's injury is a major concern for the Sixers. Pic: Getty

Embiid remained in the locker room for the entirety of the second quarter before the 76ers announced at halftime that he wouldn't return, citing right knee soreness.

How he suffered the injury and his status moving forward weren't immediately clear.

The Wizards took advantage of Embiid's absence and ran up a lead as large as 14 points late in the third quarter.

The Sixers rallied back in fourth quarter to tie the game at 106 but Washington posted the game's final surge with a 12-4 run to close out the fourth quarter and force a Game 5.

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