
Red Panda's Heart-Stopping Fall: A WNBA Halftime Performance Gone Wrong!
2025-07-03
Author: Wai
In a shocking turn of events during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title game, beloved halftime performer Rong “Krystal” Niu, famously known as Red Panda, sustained a serious wrist injury following a harrowing fall from her unicycle.
Just moments into her act, Niu took a tumble—less than 30 seconds in—while performing at the matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx. Eyewitnesses were stunned as she was swiftly wheeled off the court and rushed to a local hospital via ambulance.
Her manager, Pat Figley, revealed that Niu endured a grueling 11-hour stay at the hospital, where two supportive members of the Lynx organization stayed by her side during her medical procedure. Doctors have advised additional consultations with orthopedic specialists once Niu returns home for her wrist recovery.
"Red Panda is incredibly grateful for all the heartfelt messages and support from fans and friends alike—your kindness means the world to her," Figley stated.
It was later determined that Niu's fall was caused by a damaged left pedal on her custom unicycle that had occurred during transit. In the midst of this frightening moment, an outpouring of support flowed in from fans and players alike, including Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who expressed her well-wishes following her team's triumphant 74-59 victory, which came with a whopping $500,000 prize.
Originally from China, this fourth-generation acrobat began her career at just 12 years old. Red Panda first dazzled audiences during an NBA game in 1993, captivating fans for over three decades with her remarkable bowl-flipping routine.
Despite facing challenges—like a broken arm in 2015 during practice—Niu returned to the stage post-recovery. She’s not just a staple in sports arenas; she also showcased her talents on popular shows like "America’s Got Talent" and "Britain’s Got Talent," reaching the semifinals.
In a memorable incident from 2018, her $25,000 unicycle was stolen at a San Francisco airport. The Golden State Warriors, showing their support, gifted her a replacement before a performance shortly afterward.
"From the bottom of her heart, she appreciates the outpouring of love she is receiving," Figley noted, adding that Red Panda is determined to return for the next NBA season.