TITLE: Bent Rim Forces 22-Minute Tipoff Delay in Spurs-Rockets Game
SLUG: spurs-rockets-game-delayed-bent-rim
CONTENT:
The opening of Tuesday night’s matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets in Houston was pushed back 22 minutes after a player warped a rim during warm-ups, prompting a full replacement before play could begin.
While teams were being introduced, San Antonio players spotted the damage and alerted arena staff. A maintenance crew climbed ladders, placed a level on the basket, and began adjustments. Approximately eight minutes past the scheduled tipoff, the Spurs left the floor and returned to their locker room as workers removed the faulty rim.
Several Rockets continued to shoot at the opposite end, though most of Houston’s roster also headed to the locker room while technicians installed a new rim. The Spurs re-emerged about 10 minutes after leaving; moments later, the Rockets followed. Officials put four minutes on the clock to allow both squads to re-warm before the game finally tipped off.
With roughly nine minutes remaining in regulation, action halted briefly when the same basket was inspected again. A worker climbed a ladder, re-checked the rim with a level, snapped a photo, and showed it to an arena official and a referee. After confirming the rim was even, the ladders were removed and play continued without further interruption.
Source: ESPN
