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NBA's Charlotte Hornets Under Fire For Ruining 13-Year-Old Fan's Night After Winning In-Game Prize

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TJ Tucker
December 18, 2024  (1:27 PM)
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The Charlotte Hornets of the NBA are trying to make things right after an incident at a recent game where a teen was given a PS5 which was taken back after a skit.

It's a terrible time of the year to go into Grinch mode, but the NBA's Charlotte Hornets are trying to make it right.

The Hornets are doing damage control after gifting a 13-year-old from the crowd with a PS5 during a recent skit, and then taking it back when the cameras went off.

"During (Monday) night's game there was an on-court skit that missed the mark. The skit included bad decision making and poor communication. Simply put, we turned the ball over and we apologize. We have reached out to the family and are committed to not only making it right but to exceeding expectations."

As noted on X, once the skit was over, the PS5 was taken back, and the 13-year-old boy who was called to centre court from the stands was given a jersey instead.

According to the team, the PS5 has since been given back to the boy to keep, and he will get to experience VIP treatment for an upcoming game.

The boy's uncle, Alexei Phillips, was with him at the game Monday night. He said they were approached early in the game and asked if they would like to participate in something that was taking place on-court.

Phillips and his nephew agreed, but no other details were given to them.

"Shortly before the boy stepped on the court, a staff member told Phillips that his nephew wouldn't get to keep his gift but didn't explain what the gift was or inform the boy that it was only a skit. Phillips said he was confused, and after his nephew left the court with the PS5, a staff member came over and confiscated the console."

It's a nice ending for the boy and his uncle. However, it's difficult to understand how or why these actions were approved in the first place.

The promise from the Charlotte Hornets to make things right came after severe backlash from the public.

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NBA's Charlotte Hornets Under Fire For Ruining 13-Year-Old Fan's Night After Winning In-Game Prize

Do you think the boy and his uncle had a right to be upset after the boy was gifted the PS5 and then it was taken back