An unusual and somewhat humorous incident unfolded during Sunday night’s game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers, involving Julian Champagnie and Keldon Johnson on the Spurs bench.
As Champagnie sank a 3-point basket, Johnson rushed over to join the celebration. However, in a bizarre turn of events, Johnson accidentally struck Champagnie’s forehead with his teeth in the midst of their joyous yelling, causing a cut and bleeding.
Despite the injury, Champagnie left the game briefly for treatment but returned swiftly, displaying remarkable resilience.
He went on to play a total of 39 minutes, contributing 17 points to the game, including the crucial three-pointer that forced the game into overtime. Unfortunately, the Spurs were defeated 133-126 in double overtime despite Champagnie’s efforts.
Keldon Johnson Leaves the Game Early
Adding to the game’s statistics, Victor Wembanyama showcased an impressive performance with 33 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 blocks, as reported by the NBA Website.
Following the peculiar incident, Julian Champagnie made a full recovery and continued to play. However, Keldon Johnson, the unwitting culprit, was forced to exit the game after just 23 minutes due to an injury.
The Spurs later confirmed that Johnson had sustained a left foot injury during the fourth quarter, sidelining him for the remainder of the game.
Johnson had made a solid contribution prior to his departure, finishing with a plus-eight plus/minus, along with 7 points and 4 rebounds. Throughout this season, Johnson has been a valuable asset for the Spurs, averaging 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 69 games, aiding in the team’s rebuilding process.
Despite their efforts, the San Antonio Spurs fell to a 19-59 record, remaining in last place in the competitive Western Conference. Looking ahead, they are scheduled to face the Denver Nuggets, OKC Thunder, and Memphis Grizzlies before concluding the season with a matchup against the Detroit Pistons.
