WASHINGTON — A fan was tackled as he tried to get on the court during an NBA playoff game between the Wizards and 76ers on Monday night, the latest example of unruly behavior as teams increase the number of spectators they're allowing in the stands during the pandemic.
The players were heading toward Washington's basket in the third quarter when the action was halted while a member of security held the person down near the baseline.
The fan then was escorted away from the court and play resumed after a brief interruption.
The fan that ran onto the court during the Wizards game has been banned from the Capital One Arena and they are pursuing charges with the DC police department, according to sources who spoke with WUSA9's Darren Haynes.
After beginning this season with zero spectators allowed at its arena, Washington has steadily increased the capacity to the point where Monday's contest — Game 4 against Philadelphia in their first-round series — had an announced attendance more than 10,000.
In Game 2 at Philadelphia, Washington guard Russell Westbrook had popcorn dumped on him as he walked to the locker room after getting injured.
On Sunday in the Celtics-Nets series, Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving was nearly hit by a bottle thrown from the stands during a game in Boston.
Earlier, in New York, a spectator spit at Atlanta’s Trae Young as he prepared to inbound the ball during the Knicks-Hawks series.
Three fans were banned in Utah after Grizzlies guard Ja Morant said they “just went too far” with him or his family.
It's kind of been an interesting week for Washington sports teams in the last five days. Amid the popcorn being dumped on Westbrook and the fan getting sacked on the court, the Washington Nationals had to deal with a streaker that ran onto Nats Park's field during a rain delay last Friday.
Wizards head coach Scott Brooks, and multiple players, including Bradley Beal, were asked about the fan coming on the court.
Bradley Beal had a hilarious response in his post-game interview about how he would be ready to deal with any fan that may want to run up on him during a game. Adding that is why he doesn't feel less safe when fans rush the court.