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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Guardian sport

NBA’s Hornets sorry after giving child PS5 before taking it back off camera

Hornets Charlotte Hornets the Charlotte Hornets Santa Claus the Philadelphia 76ers
Charlotte Hornets mascot Hugo the Hornet was at the center of a giveaway gone wrong during Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Charlotte Hornets mascot Hugo the Hornet was at the center of a giveaway gone wrong during Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Photograph: Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images

The Charlotte Hornets have apologized for an in-game skit gone wrong where a young fan was promised a PlayStation 5 only to have it taken away off camera.

The incident unfolded during the second quarter of Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers when Hugo, the team’s mascot dressed as Santa Claus, brought a 13-year-old fan onto the court. After a letter to Santa requesting a PS5 was read aloud, a cheerleader presented the console, prompting cheers from the crowd and visible excitement from the boy.

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