- by cnn
- 15 Aug 2024
A punch from UFC star Conor McGregor sent the Miami Heat's mascot, Burnie, to the emergency room of a local hospital during the NBA Finals on Friday, according to The Athletic.
McGregor punched the performer wearing the mascot costume twice in a pre-planned skit in the third quarter during Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The skit was meant to promote a pain relief spray, which McGregor sprayed on Burnie after the blows.
The man playing Burnie was sent home from the hospital after receiving pain medication and is doing well, according to The Athletic report, which cited a league source. CNN has not verified the details of The Athletic report.
Burnie, who sported large gold boxing gloves and a boxing robe, was punched once by McGregor and fell to the ground. Once on the ground, McGregor landed another punch before the mascot was dragged off the court.
McGregor's communications team had no comment when reached by CNN.
CNN has reached out to the Miami Heat and NBA for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra joked about the incident while speaking to reporters ahead of Monday's Game 5 in Denver.
A Southern California couple was convicted by a jury on Friday for operating a business that assisted pregnant Chinese women in traveling to the United States without disclosing their intent to give birth and secure American citizenship for their babies.
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