The beginning of the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs was delayed Monday night after a man suffered a terrifying medical emergency.
The fan is said to have collapsed while courtside inside FedEx Forum – home of the Grizzlies – and received medical attention.
The two teams were preparing for the opening tip when everything stopped and attention went to the courtside seats.
In a clip shared by local Memphis reporter Colin Cody, stadium staff could be seen administering CPR to the man who lay on the ground as members of security rushed in a stretcher.
Players were reportedly sent back to their respective locker rooms with tip off, which was scheduled for 8pm ET, pushed back to 8:50pm ET.
The incident is said to have occurred just before tipoff with the fan receiving treatment on the floor before being take out of the arena on a stretcher after around seven minutes. Their current condition is unknown.
A man collapsed courtside inside FedEx Forum before the Grizzlies’ game against the Spurs
After giving the fan CPR courtside, medical staff removed him from the arena on a stretcher
The two teams were preparing for the opening tip when everything stopped and attention went to the courtside seats
The Grizzlies players could be seen gathering in prayer while medics tended to the spectator
The Grizzlies players returned to the court at around 8:40pm ET, with both teams set to go through warm-ups again before the game can begin.
DailyMail.com has contacted the Grizzlies organization for comment.
Before exiting the court, the Grizzlies players could be seen gathering in prayer while medics tended to the spectator.
The Spurs were facing off against the Grizzlies fresh off a blockbuster trade Sunday. San Antonio acquired De’Aaron Fox. However, the 27-year-old wouldn’t be joining Victor Wembanyama and co. on the floor Monday night.
Fox is averaging 25 points, 6.1 assists and 5 rebounds a game and should make the 7-foot-3 Wembanyama an even stronger offensive weapon.
Wembanyama missed Saturday’s last-second loss to the Miami Heat, a late scratch due to an illness that is not considered serious.
Fox will be a welcome addition. The Spurs have lost six of their last eight games but did post an overpowering win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. In the 144-118 victory, Wenbanyama had 30 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are on a two-game winning streak, sitting second in the Western Conference with a 33-16 record.
