Red Panda injury update: Timeline for surgery, return emerges after hospital release

Many sports fans had concern for the health of Red Panda, the well-known performer, after she fell earlier this week while at the finals of the Commissioner’s Cup in the WNBA. Now, a few days after her accident, ESPN shared the latest on her status.

ESPN shared that, per her representation, Red Panda will return to performing in time for the upcoming athletic seasons. That’s with her recovery from the fractured wrist she suffered set to take a few months time.

“Good news, basketball fans: Red Panda intends to be ready for next season,” ESPN tweeted out this morning. “Red Panda’s recovery should take a few months, her agency said the day after she fell off her unicycle and crashed to the court during halftime of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final.”

At halftime of the championship in the Commissioner’s Cup between the Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever on Tuesday, Red Panda fell from atop her tall unicycle towards the start of her halftime act. She immediately reached for her left hand, which she used in part to brace her fall, with her receiving medical attention as she came off the court. Red Panda would then spend the night in the hospital with her having her left wrist operated on before since being discharged in Minneapolis. She will then apparently need an additional operation as part of her recovery.

“Last night at Lynx/Fever (Red Panda) took a fall at the very beginning of the show, due to left paddle of her unicycle was damaged during transit, her left wrist was severely fractured at the same spot for the 2nd time.  She was at the hospital for 11 hours last night,” read a statement from her representation. “She is on her way home now and the Doctors in Minneapolis have recommended that as soon as she gets home, she meet with an orthopedic surgeon for the 2nd part of repair. Red panda, wants me to Thank all of you for the kind wishes and support, it means the world to her. She much appreciates from her heart the support she is receiving. We’ll keep you all posted.”

Red Panda, actually named as Rong Niu, has been performing at halftime shows, namely in college and professional basketball, since as far back as the 1990s. She has become famous for her acrobatic acts, specifically riding atop of the tall unicycle and flipping bowls atop her head.

Red Panda is as famous of a halftime act as there may be. That’s why fans should be excited and relieved to hear that she’ll be back on the bike sometime next season once her recovery is complete.