A celebratory night for the Indiana Fever at the WNBA Commissioner's Cup final against the Minnesota Lynx was momentarily overshadowed by a concerning incident involving beloved halftime performer Red Panda, whose real name is Rong Niu. The incident occurred during the Fever’s 74-59 victory at Target Center in Minneapolis, drawing gasps from the crowd and an outpouring of support from both fanbases.

Less than a minute into her renowned act, Red Panda, who performs while riding a seven-foot-tall unicycle and balancing metal bowls on her head, fell off her custom unicycle. She was observed holding her back and appeared to have injured her left wrist. Medical staff quickly assisted her to her feet, and she was subsequently escorted off the court in a wheelchair to applause and chants of “Red Panda” from the concerned audience.

The incident resonated deeply, even reaching the Indiana Fever’s star player, Caitlin Clark. Despite sitting out the game due to a groin injury, Clark remained actively involved in the team's celebrations and post-game festivities. Demonstrating her empathy, Clark joined teammate Syd Colson’s Instagram Live to send well wishes to Red Panda, stating, “Red Panda, if you’re watching, we love you.” This moment underscored not only her compassion but also the strong bond she shares with her teammates and the wider basketball community.

Rong Niu, originally from China, has been a fan-favorite performer at NBA, WNBA, and college basketball games since her debut in 1993. Her unique act, involving flipping white metal bowls from her feet onto her head while maintaining balance on her tall unicycle, has delighted millions. Dime Magazine once hailed her as “the best halftime act in basketball.”

Red Panda’s career has seen its share of challenges. She briefly retired in 2013 to care for her father, who was battling esophageal cancer, and later returned in 2015 after his passing, driven by her love for the crowd, energy, and challenge of performing. She has also faced previous injuries, including a wrist injury during practice in 2013 and a broken arm in 2015, which almost led to another retirement. Despite being believed to be in her 50s, Niu has consistently demonstrated remarkable resilience and dedication to her craft.

As of Wednesday, official updates on Red Panda’s condition were not released, but messages of support flooded social media from various members of the sports and basketball communities, highlighting her status as a beloved figure in sports entertainment. The basketball world now awaits news of her recovery, hoping for her swift return to the court.