NBA Game Delayed Due to Robert Williams III's Powerful Dunk Mishap
ESPN reported quite an unusual 35-minute halt mid-game, as officials scrambled to fix a distorted hoop apparently caused by Robert Williams III's forceful dunk 8:06 minutes before the end of the fourth quarter.
Before the chaos, the 25-year-old player had effortlessly hoisted the ball and left a lasting impact on the backboard.
An excruciating 6 minutes and 43 seconds passed as arena staff plied their trades to address the issue. Initially, a single technician was deemed sufficient, but he proved inadequate. In what appeared to be a slapstick situation, multiple individuals, ladders, and even water scales were deployed to remedy the situation.
"To be honest, I didn't realize I had done it until my teammates started pinning the blame on me," Williams told reporters post-game.
As the crowd became increasingly agitated, disoriented players darted across the court for warmth. Denver's mascot, Rocky the Mountain Lion, kept spirits high by attempting to install a basket on the opposing side of the court.
The lengthy ordeal finally drew to a close after 35 minutes of painstaking labor, and the game resumed following a brief player warm-up.
The Nuggets bagged the 123-111 win, with MVP contender Nikola Jokic racking up an impressive 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Despite the delay, Jaylen Brown, Shooting Guard for the Celtics, was disappointed to note that the hoop still appeared slightly askew when they returned.
"They spent a lot of time trying to fix it, but it still seemed a bit lopsided when we came back. So I guess we wasted all that time," Brown shared post-game.
"It affected the game. Injuries and whatnot inevitably happen. Thankfully, none occurred, but it wasn't good. I think the entire process was poorly handled, and that also had consequences, but..." Brown trailed off, concluding with a shrug.
The throng, already growing restless, became increasingly so as the situation seemed to drag on.
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As the drama unfolded, an inept attempt to fix the disturbed hoop set the stage for a unique 35-minute halt. Post-game, Williams admitted to causing the incident.
Source:
Though there was no conclusive evidence that Robert Williams III's powerful dunk led to the 35-minute delay in the NBA game, the incident sparked chaos as the official tried to fix the distorted hoop, ultimately affecting the game's outcome.
