Beloved performer Red Panda falls from unicycle, taken off court in wheelchair during WNBA halftime show

2 days ago

Red Panda, known for her incredible unicycle routine during halftime shows, left the Target Center floor in a wheelchair after falling during the WNBA Commissioner's Cup final between the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night.
Red Panda, whose real name is Rong "Krystal" Niu, fell from her 7-foot unicycle during the routine, and medical staff quickly rushed out to help.
Niu appeared to have suffered a wrist injury and perhaps other parts of her body after falling forward onto the arena floor in Minnesota.
As Niu was wheeled off the hardwood, the second half of the game was delayed as arena staff had to repair a dent in the court.
Niu has been performing under the Red Panda stage name since the 1990s, and she is well-known in the basketball realm as fans love seeing her routine, which also includes balancing bowls on her head while riding the unicycle.
She is over 50 years old, yet continues to perform on the world stage, which included a stop at the NBA Finals this year.
She was also a contestant on "Britain's Got Talent" this year, when she made it to the semifinals in the competition. Niu also performed on "America's Got Talent" in the past. The Netflix show "Running Point" also includes her as a storyline.
While those in the crowd and watching at home hoped Niu was doing well, the Fever and Lynx resumed play, and Indiana took the Commissioner's Cup with a 74-59 victory.
Caitlin Clark was ruled out for the third straight game due to a groin injury that continued to ail the All-Star, but her teammates were cooking on the offensive end.
Natasha Howard led the way with 16 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double over 35 minutes on the floor, while Sophie Cunningham dropped 13 points off the bench for Indiana. She tallied seven boards and one assist as well.
Also, Aari McDonald, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston all totaled 12 points each, with Boston notching a double-double as well with 11 rebounds in the win.
Napheesa Collier, who will captain one of the WNBA All-Star Game teams against Clark later this month, finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists for the Lynx. Alanna Smith also notched 15 points for Minnesota, but they could never recover after going into halftime with a 32-27 deficit.
Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Hashtags

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Yahoo

15 minutes ago

Yahoo

Will Target Be Open on Fourth of July?

Will Target Be Open on Fourth of July? originally appeared on Parade Pets. When it comes to shopping for our furry friends, there are few places more stylish than Target. Sure, you might have to visit a specialty store to find a t-shirt for your cockatoo, but at least Tar-zhay has our cutesy four-legged friends covered. They've got clothing, chew toys, and even a few specialty treats that Milo is sure to love, and with the Fourth of July coming up this Friday, we might need to add an extra stop to our weekly grocery route. 🐾 SIGN UP to get 'pawsitivity' delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends along with expert advice from veterinarians and pet trainers🐾 Fido deserves to look their red, white, and blue very best too, after all, and if you find yourself wondering if Target is open on the Fourth of July, then sit tight for the answer. As much as Independence Day is all about the fireworks and barbecue, our furbabies deserve to show up to the party in style—even if they are a little bit afraid of all the ruckus. Depending on your pup's temperament, you might be in the market for treats to keep them occupied, a new bed to make sure they have a comfortable place to relax after running through the yard all day, or even an anxiety vest to help calm their nerves once the firework finale really gets if you need to make a last-minute treat run before the big day, Target will be open and waiting for you and your furry companion to go on a doggone shopping spree. That's right, pet parents. You and Rex can grab all the barbecue-themed chew toys and hot dog-shaped goodies money can buy because Target stores will be open during regular business hours on the Fourth of July. Even if you're looking for a cat tree to update Salem's new digs in honor of the big day, the cheap-chic retailer has you covered there, too. As a general rule of thumb, you'll want to check with your local store to verify its actual operating hours; however, for the most part, if your store is usually open until 10 PM, it should close at 10 PM on the fourth. That means there's no stressing if you run out of Fancy Feast or Gambit's favorite treats. You can grab all that and then some, and even any lingering party supplies to make your Independence Day bash go off without a hitch. Now, that's something to bark Target Be Open on Fourth of July? first appeared on Parade Pets on Jul 3, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.