A tense moment shook the Spectrum Center during the Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets game. Security ejected a local fan after he verbally insulted and made offensive gestures at Josh Giddey. The confrontation happened in the final minutes while the Hornets led 119-112 with 1:16 remaining.
Giddey stepped out of his spot and walked courtside to confront the fan. The supporter stood up, pointed, and gave Giddey the middle finger. Giddey responded sharply: “You’re making jokes you have no idea about.“
The confrontation that stopped the game
According to the New York Post, referee Kevin Scott noticed the incident immediately. He blew his whistle multiple times and stepped between them. The fan, wearing a beige hoodie and black sunglasses, extended his fist for a friendly bump. Giddey did not respond. Scott called for security assistance, and the man was escorted out by several security personnel. The situation did not escalate further.
Courtside fan held up the game and got booted at the end of Bulls/Hornets for heckling Giddey pic.twitter.com/cpcNuTQgIk
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) November 29, 2025
The Hornets’ lead likely gave fans confidence to act boldly. Charlotte eventually won 123-116. After the game, Giddey downplayed the incident. “He just said something I didn’t like, and I went up to him—that was it,” he told the AP. He added that security handled the situation, and the episode ended there.
The 23-year-old guard delivered an impressive performance, scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, narrowly missing another triple-double. Giddey has faced recent controversies, including a 2024 accusation of an inappropriate relationship. No charges were filed, and the NBA closed the investigation without sanctions.
This ejection was not the only one in the league this week. A Kings fan was also removed during a game against the Suns for confronting Zach LaVine. The NBA maintains zero tolerance for actions that compromise player safety or integrity.
