This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
A powerful earthquake shook California and western Nevada on July 6, 2019, causing widespread disruption to sports events in the region.
The 7.1 magnitude earthquake, which was centered about 230 kilometers southwest of Las Vegas, struck the Thomas & Mack Center with just under eight minutes left in a New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans summer league exhibition game.
Officials initially decided to delay the game, and the players were sent to their dressing rooms. Some fans left the arena after the quake, while others waited around to see if it was safe to resume the game.
At the time of the earthquake, New Orleans was leading 80-74. Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson had to exit the game in the first half with a knee injury after colliding with another player.
A basketball game in the nearby Cox Pavilion continued because that gym lacks an overhead scoreboard.
The earthquake was also felt at the Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Fame awards in Las Vegas, striking in the middle of a speech by inductee Rashad Evans.
Evans, who was on stage at the time, exclaimed, 'I'm feeling it. Woo. OK. Earthquake baby!'
Other NBA athletes in Las Vegas reacted to the earthquake on Twitter, with Atlanta Hawks player Evan Turner saying, 'Just experienced my first earthquake while being on the 21st floor of a hotel. Talk about scary.'
Portland Trail Blazers player Meyers Leonard was woken up from a nap in his hotel and said, 'I can hardly believe what I just felt. Wow. I had just woke up from a nap and the entire hotel was swaying back and forth. That was actually crazy.'
