NBA Referee Injured After Colliding With Camera Operator

Incident occurred during Hawks vs. Nets game, causing brief delay in play

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:08pm

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During Thursday night's NBA game between the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets, referee Sha'Rae Mitchell was injured after colliding with a camera operator on the court. The incident occurred with just over 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, leading to a brief pause in the game as Mitchell collected herself on the sideline.

Why it matters

Referee safety is a key concern for the NBA, as officials are often in close proximity to the action on the court. This incident highlights the potential hazards they face and the need for proper court management and camera operator protocols to protect them from harm.

The details

Mitchell was initially annoyed with the camera operator, yelling "Get off the court" after the collision. She then appeared to sustain a head injury and needed several moments to recover, holding her head in her hands at the scorer's table. Fortunately, Mitchell was able to finish the game, though the incident led to a brief delay.

  • The incident occurred with 8:12 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Hawks vs. Nets game on March 13, 2026.

The players

Sha'Rae Mitchell

A 40-year-old NBA referee who played college basketball at UC Santa Barbara and became a full-time official in 2023.

Atlanta Hawks

The home team that was leading at the time of the incident, though the Nets went on an 8-3 run when play resumed.

Brooklyn Nets

The visiting team that was playing the Hawks when the incident occurred.

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What they’re saying

“Get off the court”

— Sha'Rae Mitchell, NBA Referee (Leap readers)

What’s next

The NBA is expected to review the incident and camera operator protocols to ensure the safety of its officials during games.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the potential hazards NBA referees face and the need for improved court management to protect them from harm while they officiate games.