Aw nuts! Watch moment referee gets hit in the CROTCH with the ball during the Pacers’ elimination of the Bucks
- The referee, Justin Van Duyne, winced in pain after the ball hit his manhood
- Indiana defeated Milwaukee to win a playoff series for the first time since 2014
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
A referee was hit in the groin with the ball during Thursday night’s Game 6 between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The referee, Justin Van Duyne, stood away from the game and watched intently.
A Bobby Portis pass, intended for Patrick Beverley, was deflected by Tyrese Haliburton into the path of the official’s manhood.
Van Duyne’s Denver Nuggets were hit and he winced in pain, but did not emerge from the elimination game with an injury.
The Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2014 by eliminating a Bucks team without Giannis Antetokounmpo. They will face the Knicks-76ers winner.
Van Duyne was frozen as the ball came closer and hit his groin during Thursday’s match
The Pacers eliminated the Bucks in six games and will face the Knicks-76ers winner
Van Duyne being hit in the groin with the ball was shown in real time and a replay on TNT.
Crew chief Tony Brothers also did not stop the race to give Van Duyne some respite.
The Pacers never relinquished the lead they took midway through the first quarter for the rest of the game, leading by double digits for most of the game.
Van Duyne is not expected to miss any further refereeing assignments this postseason.
The Bucks only reached a Game 6 as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference after winning their first game on the brink of elimination this season on Tuesday, where the team was without Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.