Legendary halftime performer Red Panda suffers shocking fall from her unicycle at Indiana Fever game
Red Panda, whose real name is Rong Niu, has made her famous unicycle show a staple of NBA, WNBA and college basketball games across America in recent years.
The Chinese-American acrobat's popular routine involves her riding a seven-foot unicycle around the court while flicking bowls up with her feet and balancing them on her head, a skill which has made her a fan favorite in the US.
However, on Tuesday night disaster struck when Niu fell from her unicycle and landed heavily on the ground, before she was helped up by a member of staff and escorted out of the arena.
As she initially walked off, the 55-year-old held her right arm up to the crowd to reassure fans that she was ok, before a wheelchair was eventually brought out to take her off the court.
Yet according to ESPN, a WNBA source confirmed that she was taken to hospital for further evaluation. It is unclear if she sustained any injuries, though she appeared to be holding her wrist as she left the court.
pic.twitter.com/AlU8jQyszb
— highlight hell (@HoopyHoops) July 2, 2025
Caitlin Clark jumps into Syd Colson's IG live to send recovery wishes to Red Panda, who fell off her unicycle during her halftime performance.
Caitlin: Red Panda, if you're watching, we love you. 🫶
Syd: I don't think Red Panda's watching my shit. 🤣 https://t.co/yp2AxEWzy0 pic.twitter.com/xzbttc5pvq
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) July 2, 2025
After the Fever claimed the Cup title with a 74-59 win over the Lynx, injured Indiana superstar Caitlin Clark paid tribute to Red Panda amidst their locker room celebrations.
'Red Panda, we love you,' Clark said on an Instagram live stream.
The WNBA sensation received praise from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy for thinking of Red Panda during the team's celebrations.
Portnoy wrote on X: 'There is class and then there is class. In the middle of celebrating the very prestigious Commissioners Cup title and with an injury Caitlin Clark takes time to wish Red Panda a speedy recovery after yesterday's scary fall.'
Red Panda, whose first appearance at an NBA game came all the way back in 1993, has fallen from her unicycle at a basketball match in the past.
During Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Finals, the iconic entertainer went tumbling to the ground in similar fashion, only to land a lot more smoothly on her feet and continue with the performance.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
24 minutes ago
- Reuters
Chinese club Changchun Xidu fined for using superstitious charms to unnerve opponents
BEIJING, July 3 (Reuters) - Away team dressing rooms can be unwelcoming places but Chinese third-tier club Changchun Xidu are counting the cost of going the extra mile to throw their opponents off their game after being fined for placing superstitious items in the locker room. The Chinese Professional Football League (CFL) said Changchun Xidu had placed the items in the away changing room at the stadium ahead of a match against Shanxi Chongde Ronghai on June 28. Photos on social media showed yellow paper charms stuck to a wall, which were inscribed with phrases including: "By decree, Shanxi Chongde Ronghai must be defeated." The CFL said it had fined Changchun Xidu 30,000 yuan ($4,189.36) after an investigation. Changchun Xidu, second in the China League Two standings, won the match 2-0. ($1 = 7.1610 Chinese yuan renminbi)
The Guardian
25 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Diego Luna double fires US past Guatemala and into Gold Cup final
Diego Luna scored twice in the first 15 minutes and the US men's national team held on for a 2-1 victory over Guatemala in St Louis on Wednesday to advance to the final of the Concacaf Gold Cup. Luna tallied in the fourth and 15th minutes before Olger Escobar made it 2-1 in the 80th minute. American goalkeeper Matt Freese made four saves, including a diving stop at the left post on Joes Morales in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. The US will play Mexico for the title on Sunday in Houston after El Tri beat Honduras 1-0 in the late semi-final on Wednesday. Luna, a 5ft 8in Real Salt Lake midfielder, scored his first US goal on Sunday against Costa Rica and leads the team in goal contributions in 2025 with seven (three goals, four assists). At this time a year ago, he was miffed that he was not selected of the US Olympic team for the Paris Games. Now, he is a mainstay, at least for this iteration of a team that does not include most of the European-based players. Still, Luna appears to be playing his way onto the roster for the 2026 World Cup. He opened the scoring with his quick reaction to rebound of a long shot by Luca de la Torre. Goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro fumbled the ball straight to Luna, who brought it down with his right foot before delivering a left-footed strike. Luna silenced the pro-Guatemala even further with his laser from 22 yards after taking a pass from Malik Tillman. The desperate Guatemalans dominated the rest of the half, outshooting the US 12-2 over the final 20 minutes. Navarro was the story early in the second half as the US looked for a third goal. First, he parried a header by Patrick Agyemang in the 62nd minute, then two minutes later Agyemang broke free but couldn't get the ball past the keeper. The saves proved huge when Escobar dribbled to the top of the box and slipped a shot through several Americans. This was the nations' first-ever meeting in a Gold Cup knockout round and Guatemala's first appearance in a Gold Cup semi-final since 1996.
The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
Cruz Beckham's girlfriend Jackie reveals huge spine scar in slinky dress after life-changing scoliosis surgery
CRUZ Beckham's girlfriend Jackie Apostel has revealed her huge spine scar as she posed in a slinky dress after having life-changing scoliosis surgery. The son of David and Victoria Beckham, 20, has been dating stunning Jackie, 29, since last year, and he is supporting her through her health journey. 7 7 7 7 Today, Jackie bravely opened up about her scoliosis journey, which saw her having surgery. She shared a slew of pictures which showed her in hospital having the life-changing operation. In one of the pictures she is wearing a gold slinky dress, and shows fans what her scar looks like now, a year on from surgery. Writing next to the pics, Jackie bravely said: "1 year ago today I had my scoliosis surgery so we're celebrating with a big dress and an AI painting sitting here reflecting a little bit and weirdly I went into this day last year with zero fear. "I fully pranked my mind into thinking it was no big deal. The 2 weeks after that were absolute hell but I think what really kept me going was having something to go back to. "I was determined to be back in the studio no more than 1 month to the day post op. 25 days later we were back." Continuing she said: "I would have never ever made it through those 2 weeks if I wasn't surrounded by so much support and love. people go through far worse than this every day and in times where you're physically and mentally weak you really realize what a crazy difference conversation and comfort can have on you. "Having someone check on you all the time, help you, love you. A year later, most days I forget I even did it." She then went on to talk about her recovery, and thanked her love ones for their support. Jackie ended the lengthy post with: "From whatever it is you're going through. Watch sweet moment Cruz Beckham and girlfriend Jackie perform at dad David's 50th birthday amid feud with brother Brooklyn "Those are my 2 humble thoughts of the day and check in on your people always. "It could be making the biggest difference and you don't even know." POSH AND BECKS APPROVAL Cruz and Jackie have been together since April last year, and she has a good relationship with his famous parents. This is in stark contrast to his brother Brooklyn, 26, and wife Nicola Peltz, 30, who are locked in a feud with his parents after they missed David's 50th birthday celebrations in May. But Cruz and Jackie were there — and even performed Dolly Parton classic Islands in the Stream at a family dinner. Jackie appears to have been accepted into the Beckham clan as she spent Christmas with the family at their £60million waterfront mansion in Miami. She also supported Victoria at her fashion show during Paris Fashion Week last September, and even wore her £990 cream satin cami gown to her runway show. Jackie was previously part of the Brazilian girl band Schutz, and she gained more than one million plays on her first EP – Reformation a side. 7 GLASTONBURY FUN Cruz and Jackie have just got back from Glastonbury, but they didn't slum it with the rest of the festival goers. As you would expect, the couple lived the high life at the festival in one of the camp's most expensive and private VIP tents which cost around £9K. Sharing a slew of snaps from inside their tent - which closely resembled an A-list hotel room - it was clear that the pair had checked themselves into Camp Kerala. This luxury camp includes Shikar tents which came complete with a luxury king-size bed, their own private en-suite toilet and shower block. In one snap the couple could be seen enjoying a breakfast in bed with their food served on a wooden slate - a far cry from the realities of being in one of the Somerset festival's regular camps. 7
