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Earthquake Ends Knicks' First Summer League Game, Players Evacuated After Arena Scoreboard Shakes

LAS VEGAS (CBSNewYork/AP) — The NBA Summer League game between the New York Knicks and the New Orleans Pelicans has been postponed because of a second major earthquake centered in the Southern California area.

Preliminary estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey say a 7.1 magnitude quake hit in Southern California on Friday night, and it was felt all the way in Las Vegas where Friday night's game was being held. The overhead scoreboard at the Thomas & Mack Center was swaying, and officials elected to delay the game and have the teams leave the floor while gauging if it was safe to continue.

New Orleans Pelicans v New York Knicks
Some fans head for the exits after an earthquake shook the Thomas & Mack Center during a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the New York Knicks during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Games in UNLV's other gym, the Cox Pavilion, could continue because that gym lacks an overhead scoreboard.

New Orleans Pelicans v New York Knicks
Some fans head for the exits after an earthquake shook the Thomas & Mack Center during a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the New York Knicks during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

New Orleans led New York 80-74 with 7:53 remaining. Many fans began leaving just as the quake hit, and more departed when the delay was announced. The NBA says it is working to determine if the game will continue Saturday.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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