Nikola Jokic made a massive MVP statement in a 123-11 win for Denver over Boston in a blockbuster battle of two NBA conference leaders – but there were wild scenes as a broken rim saw the game halted for around 35 minutes.
With the Nuggets leading 110-97 and 6:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, Celtics star Robert Williams III delivered a monster alley-oop jam and hung on the rim – causing it to be significantly tilted to one side.
Six crew members brought out a pair of ladders, made a series of phone calls, and eventually unscrewed the rim from the backboard in the lengthy delay that had TV cameras fixated on the ‘bubble’ of the level placed atop the rim.
Players enjoyed the break by playing rock-paper-scissors with fans courtside, and were given a warm-up once the issue was finally resolved.