Fan Leaves NBA Game On Stretcher After Collapsing
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Fan Leaves NBA Game On Stretcher After Collapsing

A fan attending an NBA game collapsed, causing a delay and prompting the players to gather in prayer.

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According to The New York Post, on Monday, medics attended to a collapsed fan. The Memphis Grizzlies were to play against the San Antonio Spurs. Right before tipoff, the emergency happened, disrupting the game.

Both of the teams were sent back to their locker rooms as the medics got to work. This delayed the game, and when it did begin, the players were in an altered headspace.

Sports agent Mike Miller was sitting near the fan when he called for authorities. Apparently, he noticed something was wrong.

"It was awful, he was sitting talking to people, then the national anthem happened, and he didn't get up," Miller said. It is unknown why the man collapsed, or how he's doing now. Reportedly, the man was rushed off in a stretcher after 7 minutes.

The game was delayed for 45 minutes due to the medical emergency. The incident upset the players, who gathered around each other in prayer. The Grizzlies would win the game 128-109, although all the players felt off-put by the event.

Players Talk About Their Feelings Toward The Collapse Of A Fan

Having someone collapse is always a scary situation, although the teams still had to play on after the delay. After the match, the players opened up about how the incident affected them.

Spurs rookie Stephon Castle said, "My energy was kind of shifted by it a little bit, I started the game real slow. My mind was all over the place. That was the first time that has ever happened to me, especially in a basketball environment."

"My first instinct was to go straight to prayer,2 said GG Jackson of the Grizzlies. Apparently, he went through a similar incident with his grandfather during a church service when he was younger.

Ja Morant said, "We had a great prayer led by GG. Then we were back here hoping for the best. Praying for the best."

A Grizzlies spokesperson said, "We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the individual involved and are thankful to the first responders and medical staff who provided the necessary care."

Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said that the Spurs are "hoping for the best."