Fans won’t get to see the return of Miami Heat mascot Burnie after the team lost the NBA Finals to the Denver Nuggets on Monday. But they can be assured that he’s OK.
Conor McGregor spoke about the incident where he punched Burnie for a promotional spot announcing his partnership with the team during Game 4 of the series.
“The mascot’s good. It was a skit and it went the way it went and all is well,” the former UFC champion told TMZ in New York on Tuesday. “… I spent a lot of time with him afterwards, we spoke it out and everything was great. It was a skit, it was part of the show.”
During a break in play at the Kaseya Center, McGregor and Burnie squared off at center court when the MMA star clocked the mascot in the head. Burnie fell to the hardwood and McGregor delivered another punch to his head before members of the Heat street team dragged the mascot off the court.
STAY UP-TO-DATE: Subscribe to our Sports newsletter now!
The person who plays Burnie went to the emergency room after the incident, was evaluated, given pain medication and sent home. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said Burnie was OK and would be ready for a return to the court.
“That’s the Miami Heat toughness that we’re talking about,” he told reporters a day after the incident. “… He can take a punch and get back up. He’s not going to miss any time.”
