Red Panda Makes NBA Return After Wrist Injury, Performs at Bulls vs. 76ers on Video
Legendary performer Red Panda made her 2025-26 NBA season debut on Tuesday night.
She performed her signature unicycle routine at halftime of the Chicago Bulls' matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center.
Red Panda previously underwent surgery for a wrist injury that she suffered during the halftime show of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup title game between the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx in July.
She spent 11 hours in a Minneapolis hospital after the fall, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). Red Panda, whose real name is Rong Niu, has made appearances at universities since the injury.
She's been performing at halftime of countless NBA games since making her debut during a Los Angeles Clippers contest in 1993 and has also repeatedly performed at WNBA and college basketball games (via NBA insider Jake Fischer). One of her final shows before the injury occurred during halftime of Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals.
Red Panda's famous performance consists of her balancing on a unicycle, holding several bowls on her foot before flipping them up onto her head and stacking them without falling.
As she appears to be fully recovered from the wrist injury, fans can expect to see her make more appearances throughout the 2025-26 season.
