One of the most anticipated NBA Summer League games in the competition's history has been brought to halt by a force of nature, and it was nothing to do with Zion Williamson.
Saturday's (NZT) clash between highly touted number one draft pick Williamson's New Orleans Pelicans and third pick RJ Barrett's Knicks was suspended, then later abandoned, after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake violently shook the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The quake left the jumbotron and surrounding speaks swinging in the rafters, sending hoards of spectators among the 17,500 sold-out crowd scattering to the exits with almost just under eight minutes remaining in the final quarter.
Players from both teams went to the locker room to wait for the overhead fixtures to stop moving so that play could safely resume, but league officials soon decided to postpone the rest of the afternoon's scheduled games.
A slew of high profile players were courtside to watch Williamson's first outing in a Pelicans jersey, including Lakers duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The 19-year-old rookie sensation Williamson was benched after only nine minutes of action as a precaution, after banging knees with another player. He left with 11 points and three rebounds, while Barrett posted 10 points and five rebounds in 25 minutes.
The quake - which struck 386km away in Ridgecrest, California - was also captured at the Los Angeles Dodgers' Major League Baseball game against the San Diego Padres, though play continued uninterrupted through the shake.
UFC great Rashad Evans had his acceptance speech at his Hall Of Fame induction ceremony - where NZ's Israel Adesanya was in attendance - interrupted by the jolt.
"Earthquake, baby!" Evans said reacting to the room swaying. "That's me bringing that heat."
Only minor and damage and injuried have been reported to date, according to the LA Times.
Newshub.
