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Famous halftime performer 'Red Panda' injured during Lynx-Fever game

Originally posted on Bring Me The News | By Will Ragatz | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 10:36 PM ET

Chinese acrobat Krystal Niu, famous for her halftime performances at sporting events under the name "Red Panda," was apparently injured during the WNBA Commissioner's Cup championship game at Target Center in Minneapolis on Tuesday.

Moments into her performance at halftime of the contest between the Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever, Niu fell and was holding her wrist before leaving the floor in a wheelchair, according to observers and video posted to social media.

Halftime injury update:

Red Panda fell before getting started, left court clutching her left wrist. pic.twitter.com/o95dVRRT3q
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) July 2, 2025

NOT RED PANDA pic.twitter.com/y67MgxStHW
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) July 2, 2025

Niu's beloved halftime act, which she has done during collegiate and professional basketball games for over 30 years, involves flipping white metal bowls from her feet onto her head while riding on a seven-foot-tall unicycle.

Red Panda's act doesn't always go off without a hitch (though it usually does). But a fall like this is rare. Hopefully Niu, who is believed to be in her 50s, didn't suffer a serious injury.

Various members of the sports and basketball communities have chimed in with messages of support on social media Tuesday night.

OH MY GOD NO. PLEASE BE OK RED PANDA. NOT RED PANDA https://t.co/U0gXa8kgtZ
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) July 2, 2025

Can’t believe my eyes Red Panda just hurt herself at the start of her performance pic.twitter.com/eI1B4tzwtW
— SneakerReporter (@SneakerReporter) July 2, 2025

She never expected to still be performing. A broken arm during practice almost led to Red Panda's retirement in 2015. The fact she's still been out there, crushing it, well past 50 years old, has been amazing. Hope she gets well soon and is back on the court. https://t.co/WRD8hjV5QL
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 2, 2025