Man Tackled, Banned After Running On Court During Wizards-Sixers Playoff Game

In the latest incident concerning fans’ poor conduct at a sporting event, a man was attacked by security and captured after running onto the floor during an NBA Wizards-Sixers Playoff Game.

In Monday’s playoff contest between the Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers in Washington, D.C., a man ran onto the floor and disrupted play.

The person has been banned, according to Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns Capital One Arena and the Wizards.

“When fans break our code of conduct at Capital One Arena, Monumental Sports & Entertainment has a zero-tolerance approach,” the firm added.

The Metropolitan Authorities Department is pursuing charges, according to the report, although police did not immediately reply to a request for comment Monday night.

Washington, like many other teams, began the season with no supporters in the stands, but as the Covid-19 limitations have been relaxed, the club has been boosting venue capacity. According to the Associated Press, the attendance for Monday night’s game was 10,665, or nearly half of the venue’s capacity.

The 76ers were defeated 122-114 by the Wizards in Game Four of their first-round NBA playoff series.

Other previous instances involving supporters at NBA games have resulted in arrests or suspensions.

After the Celtics trounced the Nets at TD Garden in Boston on Sunday, a Boston Celtics fan was arrested and accused of throwing a bottle of water at Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving.

A 76ers fan tossed popcorn at Wizard Russell Westbrook on Wednesday. That fan’s season ticket was withdrawn, and he was barred from all Wells Fargo Center events. The 76ers expressed regret to both the Wizards and Westbrook.

The New York Knicks announced on Thursday that a fan who spit on Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young has been suspended. The team also expressed regret for the fan’s actions, which it described as “absolutely unacceptable.”

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, spectators were barred from attending games last year, and the NBA later resumed play in a “bubble.”

The league said last week that an improved code of conduct will be strictly enforced when more fans were permitted to return to watch games in person.

Following the game, Wizards head coach Scott Brooks described Monday’s event as “embarrassing,” adding that supporters that engage in the sort of behavior witnessed recently should be penalized. “It’s just been happening for a few days, and they’re not afraid,” he explained.

“I’m not familiar with the legislation. I just know you shouldn’t be able to get away with it and get tossed out as that “Brooks said.