National Basketball Association

Report: Suns' mascot punched in nose

Published Apr. 25, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Phoenix Suns' gorilla mascot was punched in the nose by a Miami Heat fan in an altercation that apparently all started when the primate was left hanging.

The gorilla mascot, played by Robert Woolf, was at a promotional event at Tempe Marketplace in Arizona on Tuesday night when he said he tried to high five a customer, myFOXphoenix.com reported Wednesday.

But that customer, Timothy Austin, refused, saying he was a Miami Heat fan.

That's when the gorilla says he "playfully" kicked Austin, who reportedly reacted by punching the famous NBA mascot in the nose.

Police were called, but after they explained to the men that both would be arrested and charged with assault, Woolf and Austin agreed not to press charges.