NBA bans fans for rushing court, Wemby in Game 1

Field Level Media

The cost of an on-court selfie with Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama during Game 1 of the NBA Finals was a lifetime ban by the league for a pair of fans who disrupted the game in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night in San Antonio.

San Antonio trailed the New York Knicks 92-86 and had possession with 6 minutes, 28 seconds left in the game when a male fan ran on the court holding his phone above his head in his right hand. He approached Wembanyama near the 3-point line, stood in front of him with his cellphone fixed on the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama, who smiled briefly as security closed in and escorted the fan beneath the Spurs’ basket and out of the arena.

“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. A second individual will also receive a lifetime ban for his role in the incident,” the NBA said in a statement on Thursday.

Spurs rookie Dylan Harper lost the ball as the fan was taken off the court and Knicks forward Mikal Bridges grabbed it for an apparent steal. Because of the disruption, referees huddled to determine the result of the change of possession should be a jumpball. Wembanyama easily won the tip as the game resumed.

NBA ticket purchases note fans strictly are prohibited from entering all restricted areas of the stadium, including the court.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said the play wasn’t a factor in San Antonio struggling to score down the stretch.