Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was asked about the bizarre incident between UFC star Conor McGregor and the team’s mascot on Friday night.
McGregor and Burnie were at half court during Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Heat and the Denver Nuggets. McGregor punched Burnie twice, and the person inside the costume briefly sought medical attention. The team said the employee received pain medication and was resting at his home.
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Burnie, the Heat’s mascot, is dragged off the ground after being punched by former UFC champion Conor McGregor during a break in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, June 9, 2023, in Miami. The man in Burnie’s costume needed medical attention. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Spoelstra appeared to praise the person inside the suit for taking the hit.
«That’s the toughness of the Miami Heat we’re talking about,» Spoelstra said Sunday. «He should have been allowed to, you know, first hit. We won’t reveal who he is, but he’s tough. He can take a hit and come back out.»
CONOR MCGREGOR GETS BOOED DURING HALFTIME OF NBA FINALS IN MIAMI, KNOCKS OUT HEAT MASCOT
McGregor was in the arena as a promotional gimmick for a pain-relieving spray. The mascot wore oversized boxing gloves and a robe similar to what a fighter would wear to a boxing match. McGregor landed a left hook, then hit the mascot again as he fell to the ground.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra speaks during a postgame news conference following the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, June 9, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Conor McGregor punches Burnie, the Heat’s mascot, during halftime at the hsmr of the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, June 9, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
McGregor tried to «spray» the pet with the pain-relieving product before he was removed from the flat.
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Denver won Game 4 against Miami and will look to clinch its first NBA championship on Monday night.
Associated Press contributed to this report.