In Detroit, an 18-minute interruption occurred during the third quarter of Friday evening’s match involving the Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers, attributed to an incessant horn that sounded following a power fluctuation which rendered the arena’s main display inoperable.
While a timeout was in progress, with the Pistons ahead 65-64 in what would become a 122-119 overtime triumph, the alert horn activated, signaling players back onto the court. Nevertheless, it persisted in blaring continuously, defying the urgent efforts of personnel within Little Caesars Arena.
The participating squads retreated to their seating areas briefly before receiving instructions to re-enter the playing surface for pre-game preparations. Following a 13-minute interval, the venue’s crew powered off the main scoreboard unit entirely, causing the horn to cease, eliciting enthusiastic applause. A handheld air horn was then employed by the scorekeeping personnel once competition recommenced.
Match officials summoned both J.B. Bickerstaff, head coach for the Pistons, and Kenny Atkinson, leading the Cavaliers, to the center court for a concise exchange prior to declaring that the contest would proceed absent the principal display board. Yet, shortly after the match recommenced, the primary scoreboard reactivated.
