You never know who you’ll see sitting courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game, which holds true not just for fans and viewers, but also for the players. This was highlighted on Friday night when the Lakers hosted the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. At one point, a stray ball rolled off the court and was picked up by none other than Bruce Springsteen.
This moment alone would have been enough to go viral, given that one of the world’s legendary singer/songwriters caught a ball while courtside. Although it may not have matched the level of Larry David accidentally tripping Shaquille O’Neal, it was undoubtedly a highlight of the evening. The moment was further enhanced by the reaction of Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, who was captured on camera showing a mix of amazement and excitement just moments after Springsteen’s catch.
Rui Hachimura: BIG Bruce Springsteen fan. pic.twitter.com/6wnxfDLxD3
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 12, 2025
It’s somewhat surprising that a 27-year-old NBA player would be such a huge fan of the Jungleland singer, especially in Los Angeles, where players regularly brush shoulders with celebrities, including those like Jessica Alba and John Legend, who were also in attendance that night, as reported by the Asbury Park Press.
Nonetheless, the incident created a sweet moment, and credit is due to Spectrum SportsNet LA for having its cameras positioned perfectly to capture Hachimura’s reaction, especially since he wasn’t even in the game at that moment. Ultimately, Springsteen’s appeal reaches beyond just those in the press box.
