Glenn James/NBAE via Getty; Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
While watching the Texas team take on the Boston Celtics at the American Airlines Center on Saturday, Jan. 25 from a front-row spot on the Dallas bench, a boy got a bit more than bargained for when a pass fromKyrie Irvingmissed its target.
In the second quarter of the NBA Finals rematch, the Mavericks point guard, 32, made what appeared to be an attempted cross-court pass to teammate Jaden Hardy, but missed the mark. Instead, he accidentally hit the fan, named Asher, who was sitting courtside with the team’s staff.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The ball appeared to hit the fan square in the face, knocking his glasses off and his hat back,game footagecirculating on X shows.
The young boy’s parents and Mavericks staff rushed to comfort him, as well as players from both teams. Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and P.J. Washington appeared to check in with and comfort the boy, along with Irving himself.
“Is he okay? You alright, kid? Let me see,” Irving asked as a member of the Mavericks’ staff examined the nosebleed. “Yeah, you good, bro. My bad, bro.”
Along with the star guard, the crowd was also glad to see that Asher appeared mostly unscathed, clapping and whooping for the good sport as the game resumed. And Asher’s spirits seemed to lift as the action continued, plugging up his nosebleed with a tissue so his hands were free to cheer on the Dallas team.
Kyrie Irving plays against the Boston Celtics on Jan. 25, 2025.Glenn James/NBAE via Getty
Glenn James/NBAE via Getty
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ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth also confirmed that the young fan was okay. The reporter chatted with his parents, who said their son was “doing well” shortly after the accidental courtside collision.
“Dad said all they want is to be able to shoot some baskets after the game,” Hubbarth said during the third quarter, adding that the family has “a nice courtside seat there for the rest of this second half” and “everyone’s doing well.”
The young fan did not, however, get to see Irving and the Mavericks secure a victory, as the team ended up losing the game to the Celtics with a final score of 122-107.
source: people.com