Red Panda returns to NBA during Bulls-Sixers game at United Center

Red Panda wasn’t on the injured list for very long.

The popular halftime performer made her NBA return on Tuesday night at the United Center where the Bulls hosted the Philadelphia 76ers. She broke her left wrist during a July 1 performance at the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx.

Red Panda — whose real name is Rong Niu — spent 11 hours in a Minneapolis hospital after the fall. Her agent, Patrick Figley, said Tuesday that Niu first returned from the injury on Oct. 23 for an Amazon Prime event and she has also made a few appearances at universities.

The Chinese American performer’s act is composed of her riding on the unicycle and balancing custom-made bowls on her lower leg before flipping them atop her head.

She has been a mainstay at countless NBA and college basketball games over the past several years, including Game 5 of the NBA Finals in June in Oklahoma City.

Bulls

Bulls’ roster headed for key changes, so talk was given … just in case

Coach Billy Donovan knows he doesn’t have a selfish group by nature, but he’s also aware that the business of basketball could pull guys in different directions. That’s why he made it a point to have a discussion with the team at the start of camp.

 

By Joe Cowley

read

Bulls

Bulls’ season-opening winning streak ends with a thud against hot-shooting Knicks

The Bulls ignored some of the details that helped them start the season 5-0. The result was their first loss.

 

By Joe Cowley

read

Bulls

Bulls knew rookie Noa Essengue was work in progress when they drafted him

The Bulls said Sunday that Essengue officially had been assigned to the Windy City Bulls of the G League. Coach Billy Donovan said this likely was going to be the developmental plan all along.

 

By Joe Cowley

read