Halftime Fail at Kings-Timberwolves Game Is Most Painful Thing You’ll See Today

Thankfully, hand balancer Christian Stoinev is O.K. after taking an unfortunate tumble.

The Timberwolves have been rolling through the first few weeks of the 2023–24 NBA season, and Minnesota had a chance to become the third team to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals of the NBA in-season tournament at home Friday night.

But the Kings spoiled that plan, defeating the Western Conference leaders, 124–111, to remain undefeated in Group C. But that wasn’t the only failure that took place at the Target Center.

Christian Stoinev, a famed hand balancer known for his impressive acrobatic strength, nearly pulled off a spectacular display of balancing two basketballs while upside down in the air during Friday’s halftime show.

Stoinev dazzled the crowd while balancing his weight precariously atop both basketballs … before taking a highly unfortunate spill that looked incredibly painful.

Take a look for yourself.

oh no pic.twitter.com/Z6NwMuuvwn

— Dom2K 🎃🦃🎅 (@Dom_2k) November 25, 2023

Ouch. Thankfully, Stoinev is O.K., as he reported via social media.

“First off, I am OK, just a minor scratch/ bruise thankfully,” Stoinev wrote on Instagram. “I appreciate our extended NBA fam that reached out and all texts/messages from everyone checking in. Might not make sense, but this only makes me prouder that I try to push my limits and not get complacent. …Even though this show didn’t go as planned, it’s proof that what we do as acrobats/handbalancers isn’t easy. I’m grateful this wasn’t serious and anxious to get back to it.”

Things don’t always go as planned, even when they are part of a normal routine. But failure breeds resilience, and Stoinev and the Timberwolves will have the chance to bounce back in their next acts. 

Minnesota (11–4) next plays at the Grizzlies (3–12) on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.