NewsBite

World laughing at embarrassing NBA uniform fail

Things like this aren’t supposed to happen in the richest league in the world, but a bizarre wardrobe malfunction has stopped an NBA game.

less than 2 min read
March 14, 2022 - 5:18PM
The Thunder and Grizzlies were weren't going to give in. Photo: Twitter, @ThunderFilmRoom.
The Thunder and Grizzlies were weren't going to give in. Photo: Twitter, @ThunderFilmRoom.

Things like this aren’t supposed to happen in the world’s richest sporting league.

The Memphis Grizzlies’ win over Oklahoma City was stopped before the opening tip-off after both teams walked onto the court wearing white uniforms.

In scenes that have fans around the world giggling, the game was delayed when ten players in white stood side by side around the half-court circle before officials realised a bad mistake had been made.

The game was soon trending on Twitter on Sunday (AEDT) as confusion reigned.

Watch the 21/22 NBA Season with ESPN on Kayo. Live coverage every week plus every game of the NBA Finals. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Memphis inexplicably suited up in their white home-game strip — a direct clash with the Thunder’s white home-game strip.

Oklahoma City rocked their home jersey. Photo: Stockman/Getty Images/AFP.
Oklahoma City rocked their home jersey. Photo: Stockman/Getty Images/AFP.
The Grizzlies’ home jersey. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images/AFP.
The Grizzlies’ home jersey. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images/AFP.

NBA referee James Williams eventually announced to the crowd: “We will postpone this start until Memphis can get the right jerseys on”.

“We will postpone this start until Memphis can get the right jerseys on,” Williams announced.

With the game being played at the Paycom Centre in Oklahoma City, Memphis players were forced to return to the locker room and returned a short time later wearing their navy blue singlets.

“I’ve been around the NBA now for 25 years, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen both teams come out with their home uniforms on,” Memphis TV commentator Brevin Knight said.

The Thunder and Grizzlies were weren't going to give in. Photo: Twitter, @ThunderFilmRoom.
The Thunder and Grizzlies were weren't going to give in. Photo: Twitter, @ThunderFilmRoom.

“You’ve got to run back and change real quick, that’s what has to happen.”

NBA commentators on social media were even more shocked at the spectacle.

Thunder forward Darius Bazley could see the funny side of it after the game.

“When I looked up and I seen they had white, I was like, ‘What the heck?’ They gotta get it together,” he said.

“I knew it wasn’t our fault.”

In the end the jersey malfunction didn’t even faze the Grizzlies, who went on to win 125-118.

Originally published as World laughing at embarrassing NBA uniform fail

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/american-sports/nba/world-laughing-at-embarrassing-nba-uniform-fail/news-story/668dd4fa28cb4d32ffd0e6a36c849739