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Spurs-Grizzlies fan update: New details emerge on Memphis fan given CPR courtside, hospitalized

Nick Profile Picby:Nick Geddes02/04/25

NickGeddesNews

NBA
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A positive update has emerged on the fan who had a medical emergency and was hospitalized before Monday’s game between the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies.

According to Doc Holliday of Action News 5 in Memphis, the man who required CPR courtside at FedExForum is “sedated but stable.”

“As we saw, it shook everybody up that was at the game,” Holliday said. “His heart stopped on the court. Everybody there that worked there rushed to him. And it was LifeCare Ambulance service that rushed, did chest compressions and CPR. Brought him back to life from what I’m told a couple of times because his heart stopped on the court. Then I’m told he coded again once in the ambulance. … They rushed in, did amazing lifesaving work and saved his life.”

Grizzlies fan suffers serious medical emergency, CPR administered prior to tip off

Players from both teams were sent back to the locker room just before tip off as medical personnel rushed to the attention of the fan, who had passed out. The man was later taken out of the arena on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital.

“Just prior to the start of tonight’s game, a fan sitting courtside suffered a medical emergency,” a Grizzlies spokesperson said in a statement, via Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the individual involved. And are thankful to the first responders and medical staff who provided the necessary care. The start of the game commenced after a delay.”

The matchup ultimately tipped off at 7:51 p.m., just shy of one hour after its originally scheduled time. The Grizzlies would go on to pick up a 128-109 win over the Spurs.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the gentleman who suffered a medical issue prior to the game,” Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said after the game. “We’re hoping for the best.”