Day 1 of NBA playoffs disrupted by bizarre chain protest

There were bizarre scenes on the opening day of the NBA playoffs when a game was interrupted by a highly unusual protest.

The NBA playoffs got underway on Sunday (AEST) but the action was overshadowed by a protester who interrupted the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

During the second quarter at of the clash at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, a woman somehow managed to chain herself to the basket stanchion that supports the hoop with a long yellow chain.

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Once she was noticed, play was stopped and it took security more than a minute to cut the chain and drag her off the court.

NBA fans were dumbfounded by the protest and wondered how the woman was able to sneak what appeared to be a large metal chain into the stadium in the first place.

Sports Illustrated’s Bill Enright tweeted: “I can’t get past stadium/arena security with a water bottle. How did this woman at the Grizzles/Twolves game get in with a chain and lock?”

Host Ashley Nicole Moss said: “Okay, buttttttt how did she get close enough AND have enough time to chain herself to the basket?”

How do you even get allowed into an arena with a chain????? Folks at the AT&T Center don’t even want your damn keys in the arena let alone a chain 🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/YSaKGkp6vU

— Damien Bartonek 🇺🇦 (@DABartonek) April 16, 2022

First glue now a chain?! pic.twitter.com/biTsAI8exA

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 16, 2022

How does one even get a chain into an arena to lock themselves to the basket?

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) April 16, 2022

The woman was wearing a T-shirt with the same message worn by a woman who interrupted the play-in game between Minnesota and the LA Clippers earlier this week and tried to glue herself to the court.

Both protesters were animal rights activists criticising former Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who owns a farm that was forced to kill millions of chickens due to a bird flu outbreak.

NBA protests are getting weirder and wackier. Photo: Justin Ford/Getty Images/AFP

She chained herself to the hoop.

On the court, Minnesota upset the Grizzlies in the first game of their series, prevailing with a 130-117 victory.

Anthony Edwards topscored with 36 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns (29 points) and Malik Beasley (23) both played great supporting roles.

Elsewhere, Utah’s Donovan Mitchell scored 30 of his 32 points in the second half and the visiting Jazz beat the Dallas Mavericks, who were without injured All-Star guard Luka Doncic due to a left calf strain.

Golden State’s Stephen Curry made a triumphant return from a left foot sprain as the Warriors, led by Jordan Poole’s 30 points, routed Denver 123-107 in an NBA playoff opener.

Curry, sidelined since March 16 with the injury, had 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the floor (3-of-6 from 3-point range) with three rebounds, four assists and a steal over 22 minutes off the bench as the Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series.

Philadelphia was too good for the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of their series, as Tyrese Maxey scored a playoff career-high 38 points and Tobias Harris added 26 points for the Sixers.

Joel Embiid had 19 points and 15 rebounds while James Harden contributed 22 points and a game-high 14 assists.

Playoffs Day 1 results

Dallas Mavericks defeated Utah Jazz 99-93 (Utah leads series 1-0)

Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Memphis Grizzlies 130-117 (Minnesota leads series 1-0)

Golden State Warriors defeated Denver Nuggets 123-108 (Golden State leads series 1-0)

Philadelphia 76ers defeated Toronto Raptors 131-111 (Philadelphia leads series 1-0)

With AFP

Originally published as Day 1 of NBA playoffs disrupted by bizarre chain protest