Spurs-Rockets delayed to replace rim bent during pregame

"The Spurs were inspecting it during introductions and soon a maintenance crew came out and placed a level on the rim before beginning to work on it. Three people on ladders worked on the rim for a few minutes before the Spurs left the court and returned to the locker room about eight minutes after the game was scheduled to tip off."

"After a few minutes workers took the rim off and replaced it. The Spurs returned to the court about 10 minutes after leaving, and the ladders were removed from the court and San Antonio began to warm up again. The Rockets who had left returned soon after that and four minutes was put on the clock to allow both teams to warm up before the game tipped off."

"There was a second brief delay with about nine minutes remaining in the game when the same rim was checked again. A worker got on a ladder and placed a level on the rim and took a picture with his phone. After showing an arena official and a referee the picture, apparently showing that the rim was level, the ladders were removed and play resumed."

A bent rim caused a 22-minute delay before the Rockets–Spurs game, prompting inspection and repair during introductions. Spurs personnel inspected the rim while a maintenance crew placed a level and worked; three people on ladders attended the rim before the Spurs left the court and returned to the locker room about eight minutes after the scheduled tipoff. Some Rockets warmed on the other basket while workers removed and replaced the rim. San Antonio returned about ten minutes later, ladders were cleared, and both teams received four minutes to warm up. The rim was rechecked late in the game and confirmed level before play resumed.

Read at ESPN.com