Monday’s blowout loss in Charlotte wasn’t very memorable for the Houston Rockets, who were down six rotation players due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols and back-to-back maintenance factors.
But for 26-year-old big man Christian Wood, arguably the most accomplished NBA player among Rockets who were able to go, there was a memorable play. Unfortunately, it was not a positive one.
In the final seconds of the first half, Wood sailed an errant outlet pass that inadvertently struck a fan in the head who was walking to her floor seat. Thankfully, the woman was fine, but Wood put his hands on his head and immediately gestured that he was taking responsibility.
In a postgame story on Instagram, Wood laughed at himself over the incident. “Happens to the best of us, Shaqtin,” he said, referring to NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal’s infamous Shaqtin’ a Fool television segment showcasing player miscues. Best of all, Wood ended the message by offering the fan courtside tickets to a Houston game of her choice.
Christian Wood's pass really smacked a fan in the stands 😅 #Shaqtin pic.twitter.com/EXDYt616fZ
— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) December 28, 2021
Christian Wood on beaning the fan in the second row: "I hope she’s OK. If she needs tickets to a game, I got her."
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 28, 2021
Considering that Monday’s game was in Charlotte, it remains to be seen if she is able to take Wood up on his offer for a later game in Houston. But it would certainly make for quite a story if she does.
Wood finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in 26 minutes on Monday, shooting 5-of-9 (55.6%) overall and 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%) for a productive individual night. But he also had three turnovers, including one that will now live in Spectrum Center lore.
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.@Chriswood_5 passes along a message to the woman in Charlotte that he hit with his pass pic.twitter.com/jmIpFxpjND
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) December 28, 2021
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