DENVER – What was cast as an innocuous courtside skit with former UFC champion Conor McGregor actually proved to pack a punch during Friday night’s NBA Finals game between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets.
A source familiar with the incident confirmed Saturday to the Sun Sentinel that the staffer who wears the costume of the Heat mascot (who is not named by the team in its staffing list), had to leave Kaseya for treatment during the game for what was intended to be a playful blow from McGregor, who was seated courtside and brought to the court for the staged bit.
According to a party familiar with the incident, the person inside the costume “was given some pain meds and sent home.”
Conor McGregor knocked out the Miami Heat mascot ???? pic.twitter.com/86RutVZ9d9
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) June 10, 2023
The Nuggets defeated the Heat 108-95 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, with Game 5 on Monday night at Ball Arena. Should the Heat win Monday, the series would return to Kaseya Center for a Game 6 on Thursday night, with the expectation of the Heat mascot then being available.
The Athletic first reported the injury to the Heat mascot.