Online Reporter
THE start of a game between the Memphis Grizzlies and visiting San Antonio Spurs was delayed on Monday night after a fan sitting courtside had a medical emergency.
Medical personnel were summoned to the court moments before tipoff to tend to the fan while players were on the court preparing for the start of the contest.
Officials ended up sending both teams back to their respective locker rooms.
The game tipped off at approximately 7:50 p.m. local time, 50 minutes after it was scheduled to start.
Meanwhile, disgruntled Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has informed the Golden State Warriors he wouldn’t sign a contract extension with the team if he is acquired in a trade, ESPN reported Monday.
Butler currently is serving his team suspension for withholding services and conduct detrimental to the team as the Heat look for a taker for Butler, who wants out of Miami. But with the NBA trade deadline looming tomorrow — and options dwindling — Butler is being particular about his destination.
Per ESPN, he previously indicated that he wouldn’t sign an extension with the Memphis Grizzlies when they inquired about a trade. Those talks subsequently fizzled, as have trade discussions with the Warriors — at least for now, according to the report.
Butler is trying to steer a trade toward the Phoenix Suns, with whom he has said he would sign a long-term extension. The Suns reportedly have been trying to put together a multi-team deal to land Butler.
Butler, 35, has a $52 million player option for next season, and it is expected he will decline it and become a free agent if he doesn’t wind up in Phoenix.
On the season, Butler has averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 25 games. Over 14 NBA seasons, the six-time All-Star has averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists over 839 games (734 starts) — Reuters.
Mathew Masinge