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An overzealous fan was escorted by Brooklyn fillets security during Thursday night’s game after storming the court in an attempt to take a selfie with Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell.
The incident occurred five minutes before the end of the fourth quarter, with Cleveland leading the match, 121-115. The fan, wearing a purple sweatshirt, ran onto the field after a whistle and headed straight toward Mitchell with a phone in hand.
Referee Curtis Blair, left, attempts to stop a fan who ran onto the court toward Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at the Barclays Center in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Broadcast cameras filmed NBA The player immediately backed away before security quickly grabbed the man.
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The match was briefly delayed as the fan was escorted away by security.
After the match, Mitchell revealed what the individual wanted and why he approached him specifically.
“I took a few steps back, then repositioned my feet and was ready to deal with whatever was necessary,” he said via CBS Sports. “The kid wanted a selfie. I know he’s probably going to serve time in prison, but when he gets out he’ll probably have a great selfie. Sorry, I don’t think it’s a joke.”
A fan is removed from the court in the fourth quarter of the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on October 24, 2025. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
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Teammate Jarrett Allen praised Barclays Center security for their quick action.
“At first I was confused. And I saw him running towards Don and taking a step towards him. But they have great security at the Barclays Center,” he said. “Kudos to them, they took care of it. When he left the court, his feet weren’t touching the ground. They carried him out of the building.”
The fan’s fate was not immediately clear, but future visits to the Barclays Center may not be in the cards for him.
Donovan Mitchell (45) of the Cleveland Cavaliers appears to pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Barclays Center in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
As for Mitchell and the Cavs, they finished the night with a 131-124 victory over the Nets. Mitchell scored 35 points and Allen and Sam Merrill added 22 each.
