NBA official Sha’Rae Mitchell was left clutching her head in agony after a high-speed collision with a cameraman on Thursday night.
During the Atlanta Hawks’ win over the Brooklyn Nets, the official was sprinting down the sideline when she slammed directly into the operator.
Footage showed Mitchell focused on the developing play and failing to spot the courtside cameraman positioned just inches from the hardwood.
The impact sent the official flying backwards onto the court, as she absorbed the full force of the professional television rig.
Despite the heavy blow, the cameraman remained in his designated position, seemingly unaware of Mitchell’s impact.
Mitchell, however, was visibly shaken by the incident, immediately clutching her head as players and other officials looked on in concern.
An NBA official was left with a nasty head injury after a high-speed collision with a cameraman
During a fast-break, Mitchell ran straight into the camera operator on the court
The referee appeared frustrated after the contact, glaring toward the technician as she eventually recovered her footing.
She was seen speaking to a fellow official about the incident, though the operator remained in his assigned area throughout the sequence.
To her credit, the resilient official refused to leave the floor, choosing to remain in the game to finish out the remainder of her shift.
The incident occurred during a pivotal stretch of the game as the Atlanta Hawks looked to extend their NBA-leading eight-game winning streak.
Jalen Johnson led the charge for the Hawks, finishing the night with 21 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in a near triple-double performance.
The Hawks eventually secured a 108-97 victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets, further solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference standings.
Zaccharie Risacher added 19 points off the bench for Atlanta, while Josh Minott scored a career-high 24 points in a losing effort for Brooklyn.
The Nets had briefly taken an 83-82 lead early in the fourth quarter before a 10-0 run by the Hawks put the game out of reach.
