Dwight Howard #39 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks down at a fan who ran onto the court and was tackled by security in the third quarter of Game Four of the Eastern Conference first round series against the Washington Wizards on May 31, 2021. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP
A fan who ran onto the court before being tackled by security during Monday’s NBA playoff game between Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers will be banned from the Capital One Arena, Wizards owners Monumental Sports & Entertainment said.
Videos posted on social media showed the fan making his way to the court in the third quarter and jumping up to touch the backboard before being tackled to the ground by a security guard and led away.
A fan attempted to run on the court in the middle of Game 4 between the Sixers-Wizards pic.twitter.com/51pdBKOxwh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 1, 2021
Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the arena, said the fan could face criminal charges.
“During this evening’s game, a fan was apprehended by Capital One Arena Special Police after attempting to breach the court. He will be banned from the arena and charges are being pursued with DC MPD,” the statement read.
The conduct of fans has been an issue for the NBA lately, with several spectators hit with indefinite bans for “completely unacceptable” behaviour towards players and their families in separate incidents last week.