NBA: Two fans banned after Victor Wembanyama incident in Finals game one
Major sports events present an "enormous platform to do stupid things", says NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
A spectator ran on to the court during game one of the NBA Finals in San Antonio on Wednesday, with a young man filming himself on his phone as he approached Victor Wembanyama.
He stopped in front of the San Antonio Spurs star, without appearing to make contact with the 22-year-old Frenchman, before two security guards swiftly bundled him away.
He was arrested on charges of intentionally interfering with a lawful gathering, and criminal trespass for entering the court area despite having notice that such entry was prohibited.
An NBA spokesperson confirmed that the court invader and a second individual will receive a lifetime ban from all NBA arenas. The league did not disclose what role the second individual played.
"I've never been in that situation, I didn't know how to act," said Wembanyama, the NBA's defensive player of the year.
"It really surprised me, almost as much as that time where a bat crossed the court," added the France international, referring to an incident during a Spurs game in January 2024.
Commissioner Silver said: "I even hesitate to describe that person as a fan. They seemed to have an ulterior motive for doing so.
"It's unfortunately part of all sports," he added.
"I think the other side of the coin of global attention is that somebody realises that there's this enormous platform to do stupid things. The consequences are dramatic if you do this."
Silver also said extra security will be required at New York's Madison Square Garden if US President Donald Trump attends a game later in the NBA Finals.
Trump said he will take up an invite from New York Knicks owner James Dolan and "maybe do both" game three on Monday and game four on Wednesday.
The NBA incident comes a week before the start of football's World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Pitch invaders have been increasingly common in football, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo having been targeted for selfies on multiple occasions.
Several fans invaded the pitch during an Inter Miami friendly in Puerto Rico in February, with one hauling Argentina captain Messi to the ground.
There have been at least three further incidents during Miami games in the US and Canada this season.
Messi and Portugal rival Ronaldo are set to play in their sixth World Cup, with their group games being played in the US.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said it was "a concern" that five people made it on to the pitch during their win over Turkey at Euro 2024 in Dortmund.
"Today the intentions of the fans were good," said Martinez. "But you [must] understand there's a difficult moment if their intentions are wrong."
A pitch invader also made contact with Ronaldo as he was warming up for a Nations League game against Germany last June.