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Fans React to Bizarre Pacers-Thunder Broadcast Glitch Featuring Spooky Graphic
The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder combined to put on a great show in the first quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, with both sides exchanging haymakers in the early goings of a pivotal contest. It was a treat for fans— until a bizarre broadcasting glitch interrupted the viewing experience.
Just past the halfway point of the first quarter, Thunder guard Lu Dort lined up for a three-point shot that would tie the score at 24. As he was taking it, the ESPN/ABC broadcast went black for over five seconds. Then it returned. Then, for some reason, it cut to a local news station that had a spooky Friday The 13th graphic in the background.
It was very odd and maybe a bit of a jumpscare for viewers. Or those who are not fond of scary movies.
espn wtf happened here pic.twitter.com/s1VABvFueF
— FN (@fndxerbackup) June 14, 2025
Fans reacted in all kinds of ways to the unexpected interruption.
the pacers devil magic is interfering with the broadcasts
— ALMIGHTEE. (@realalmightee) June 14, 2025
— DDOT. (@DDotOmen) June 14, 2025
I was so confused, and it happened right as Lu shot lol
— Smooth Operator (@2093_life) June 14, 2025
What was this ESPN Friday the 13th glitch? 💀 pic.twitter.com/pPKsvBfHoT
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) June 14, 2025
PACERS WINNING ON FRIDAY THE 13TH LMAO
— Curry Flurry 😈 (@babyfacedubs) June 14, 2025
Umm, did Friday the 13th just flash on your screen during the NBA Finals?
— Vaughn Fry (@VaughnFry) June 14, 2025
Everything resumed as normal afterwards and the Pacers would finish the quarter one point ahead of OKC.
Happy Friday the 13th, everybody!
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Liam McKeone is a senior writer for the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has been in the industry as a content creator since 2017, and prior to joining SI in May 2024, McKeone worked for NBC Sports Boston and The Big Lead. In addition to his work as a writer, he has hosted the Press Pass Podcast covering sports media and The Big Stream covering pop culture. A graduate of Fordham University, he is always up for a good debate and enjoys loudly arguing about sports, rap music, books and video games. McKeone has been a member of the National Sports Media Association since 2020.