The Miami Heat lost Game 4 of the NBA Finals to the Denver Nuggets, bringing the series to a 3-1 lead for the Nuggets. The Heat now face the daunting task of having to win in Denver to keep their hopes of winning the championship alive. But if they do manage to force a Game 6 and return home, they might have to do so without their beloved mascot, Burnie.
During a skit on the court at halftime during Game 3, MMA fighter Conor McGregor was invited to take a shot at a basketball hoop. After making his first shot, he fired a second shot that missed the hoop and hit Burnie, who was standing nearby. The mascot immediately fell to the ground, and the skit ended with people tending to him and McGregor spraying his own pain relief spray on the mascot.
However, the incident resulted in Burnie being taken to a nearby hospital. According to a report from The Athletic, the person inside the costume was given pain medication before being discharged. It remains unclear whether Burnie will be able to return to the court this season and cheer on the Heat should they make it back to Miami for Game 6.
The timing of the incident couldn’t be worse for the Heat, who are already facing an uphill battle to try to win the series. Losing their mascot, who is a beloved part of the team’s identity and a fan favorite, could be yet another setback for a team that is already struggling to find its footing.
Whether Burnie is able to return or not, the incident has certainly stirred up some controversy and debate. Some people have criticized McGregor for being reckless and putting the mascot at risk, while others have defended him, saying that it was just an accident and that he didn’t mean any harm.
Regardless of where people stand on the issue, it’s clear that Burnie’s injury has added an extra layer of drama to an already intense series. The Heat will have to dig deep to try to come back and win, but even if they do, they’ll have to do so without the full support of their mascot and their fans.
Credit: sbnation.com
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