Indiana Pacers fan nails a free throw, 3-pointer AND a half-court shot – but only gets $500!

The Indiana Pacers have been slammed on social media after they dished out a paltry $500 prize to a fan who managed to nail a free throw, a 3-pointer and a half-court shot in an impressive halftime showing on Friday night.

Halftime games have long been a staple of NBA culture, with supporters invited down from the stands and given the chance to win huge prizes, like cars and thousands of dollars.

The Pacers’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night was no different, with a man called Nathaniel given the chance to show off his skills on the court.

See also  EastEnders' Jessica Plummer and Ben Hardy 'split as work schedules pull them apart'

Pacers fan Nathaniel nailed three hugely impressive shots in his half-time challenge

The Pacers tweeted about his $500 prize – and got plenty of stick from fans in the comments

And show off he did, nailing a free throw, a three-pointer and a half-court shot within a time limit, sparking wild celebrations on the paint.

While other fans have done far less to win hundreds of thousands of dollars, Nathaniel may have been slightly disappointed to land himself just $500 and a ‘prize pack’ from sponsors Hoosier Lottery and the Pacers.

In fact, just two months ago, a lucky Los Angeles Lakers supporter was given a huge $75,000 for his halftime show win, and the same franchise has previously dished out six-figure sums.

Taking to social media, some fans were quick to slam the prize-givers in Indiana, with more than one labelling the Pacers a ‘poverty franchise’, while another insisted that amount would hardly buy his family a round of drinks in the aftermath.

NBA fans called the prize ’embarrassing’ and a ‘travesty’ in comparison to other franchises

One labelled the Pacers a ‘poverty franchise’ for not gifting their fan more cash for his win

On the court during the game, the Pacers beat the Trail Blazers to seal a fifth straight home win

Elsewhere, one wrote that it was ’embarrassing’, and another called it a ‘travesty’.

On the court, the Pacers continued their impressive home run, winning a fifth straight game.

In recent weeks, they have beaten the Trail Blazers, Raptors, Clippers, Cavaliers and Hawks in Indiana, last losing a game on their home court on December 18 – to the Knicks.

Overall this season they are seventh in the east, 5.5 games back from the league-leading Celtics with a 22-18 record.