06/04/26 10:37:00
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06/04 10:35 CDT NBA bans two people from arenas after one runs onto court
during Game 1, attempts selfie with Wemby
NBA bans two people from arenas after one runs onto court during Game 1,
attempts selfie with Wemby
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
SAN ANTONIO (AP) --- The NBA banned two people for life from its arenas on
Thursday, after one of them was arrested shortly after running onto the court
during Game 1 of the NBA Finals and appearing to take a selfie next to San
Antonio star Victor Wembanyama.
A second fan was banned for his involvement in Wednesday night's incident,
which occurred midway through the fourth quarter of the game between the Spurs
and New York Knicks. The NBA did not disclose specifics of that person's
involvement.
"The individual who entered the court area during Game 1 of The Finals was
arrested and will be banned for life from all NBA arenas," an NBA spokesman
said in a news release. "A second individual will also receive a lifetime ban
for his role in the incident."
The fan who ultimately was arrested appeared to enter the court from the
sideline opposite the team benches, starting from behind the play and running
into San Antonio's offensive end. The person was quickly pulled from the court
by two security guards and it did not appear the person made any physical
contact with Wembanyama or any New York players.
Wembanyama did not appear bothered by the incident, either as it was happening
or afterward.
"I've never been in that situation," Wembanyama said. "I didn't know how to
act."
Play was stopped for 1 minute and 29 seconds before the game resumed with a
jump ball. The fan who entered the play was taken out of the court area through
a baseline tunnel.
"I don't think it was an event at all," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "I
thought security got him out of there. I think everybody moved on to the next
play."
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