Mitch Creek crashes into courtside 36ers fan during game four of finals series against Melbourne

THE 36ers have tied up the finals, beating Melbourne 90-81 and sending the series to game five — but one fan found himself part of the action, taking a flying Mitch Creek knee to the head.

• All ties up: Sixers win game four of finals series against Melbourne

AN Adelaide 36ers fan has been taken out of the front row by a flying Mitch Creek knee to the head and has found instant fame during game four of the NBL grand final series on Sunday afternoon.

The Sixers won the match 90-81, sending the series to the final game five.

Harry Flourentzou paid $175 for a courtside seat at the biggest game of the season against Melbourne at Adelaide Arena and was enjoying the game midway through the second quarter when the drama unfolded.

Mitch Creek tried to leap Harry Flourentzou but his foot hits Harry’s son Georgio in the face. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty

Creek tries to leap Harry Flourentzou (in blue) after saving a beall heading out of play. Picture: Sarah Reed

Creek can stop himself, and into the crowd he goes. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty

As Creek — arguably the strongest and most athletic player on Adelaide’s team — ran to retrieve a loose ball going out of play, he leapt in the air to try to jump over the spectators who are just 1.5m from the sideline.

Unable to stop or jump over the top, Creek cannoned into Flourentzou at full pace and knocked him flat on his back, while his 12-year-old son Georgio sitting next to him got a Creek foot to the face.

Creek crashes into Flourentzou. Picture: Sarah Reed

The 8000-strong crowd at Adelaide Arena fell silent amid initially serious concerns for their welfare as 36ers staff rushed to their aid.

Fortunately both were back upright and smiling about their brush with Creek within a few minutes, and Flourentzou was giving the crowd a thumbs up and responding to messages that flooded his phone.

“The ball was coming towards me and I didn’t know who it was at the time but his knee got me in the nose,” Flourentzou told The Advertiser courtside.

Creek smashes into Harry as he tried to avoid the fans. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty

Spectators come to each others’ aid. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I fell backwards and got a blood nose and hit my head on the floor but I'm all good.

“Creeky — no hard feelings, I love him, I’m a big fan of him and everyone.

“My son got hit and my nephew as well but we’re all good ... $175 for the seat and a knee in the head, it’s killer.”

The 43-year-old is a huge 36ers fan who travelled to Melbourne for game three on Friday night and was planning to return this weekend after the series went to game five this Saturday.

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