The first game of the NBA Finals was disrupted on Wednesday night
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One fan tried to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyamaopen image in gallery
One fan tried to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyama (AP)
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The NBA has handed down lifetime bans to two individuals after a disruptive incident during Game 1 of the NBA Finals saw one person run onto the court and attempt to take a selfie with San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.
The dramatic intrusion occurred midway through the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's game between the Spurs and the New York Knicks.
A second fan also received a lifetime ban for their involvement in the incident, though the league did not disclose specific details of their role.
An NBA spokesman confirmed the league's decisive action in a news release, stating: "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 fan who ultimately faced arrest appeared to enter the court from the sideline opposite the team benches, running from behind the play into San Antonio's offensive end.
Mitch Johnson played down the incidentopen image in gallery
Mitch Johnson played down the incident (Reuters)
Security guards swiftly intervened, pulling the person from the court. There was no apparent physical contact made with Wembanyama or any New York players during the brief disruption.
Wembanyama himself seemed unfazed by the event, either as it unfolded or afterward.
"I’ve never been in that situation," Wembanyama said. "I didn’t know how to act."
Play was halted for 1 minute and 29 seconds before resuming with a jump ball, and the individual was escorted out through a baseline tunnel.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson downplayed the incident, remarking, "I don’t think it was an event at all. I thought security got him out of there. I think everybody moved on to the next play."
The second match of the best-of-seven series is due to take place on Friday night, with the San Antonio Spurs aiming to draw level in the series after losing Wednesday’s opening game.