In a shocking twist worthy of a holiday horror film, Charlotte Hornets mascot Hugo the Hornet stole a PS5 from a young fan during a Christmas skit, leaving the team scrambling to make amends and apologize.

The incident, which quickly went viral and sparked public outrage, occurred when Hugo the Hornet dramatically snatched the coveted gaming console from the hands of 13-year-old Alexei Phillips' nephew, trading it for a jersey instead. Amidst one of the worst win seasons in NBA history, the Hornets admitted their skit 'missed the mark' and now face the daunting task of learning the difference between festive fun and outright theft, as they scramble to replace the stolen joy with a promised PS5 and VIP experience at a future game.

The Christmas skit, which reportedly involved more fumbles than a high school football team on their first day of practice, took place during a match against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 16, 2024. The unsuspecting boy likely thought he had scored a major holiday win, only to find themselves in the middle of an impromptu skit gone wrong, which ended with him clutching nothing but a jersey and a heart full of confusion.

Fans experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during the game. Just moments earlier, the same crowd witnessed the Hornets dispositionally battling their opponent from Philadelphia while also vying for something resembling competitive success. As of this season, the team is rumored to have one of the worst win percentages in the NBA since 2000, which makes one wonder if their lack of on-court success is now bleeding into their off-court antics as well.

The fiasco reached ludicrous levels on social media, as videos captured a festive Hugo taking the PS5 from the flabbergasted young boy with more boldness than a squirrel nabbed in the act during a neighborhood barbecue. The public outcry grew louder than the typical moans and groans heard from Hornets fans. ‘What was the mascot thinking?’ people asked. Apparently, not much. Perhaps Hugo should stick to shooting t-shirts instead of seizing cherished gaming consoles.

In the aftermath, the Hornets organization issued an apology acknowledging that their merry skit 'missed the mark,' which is sport-speak for 'Oops!' It seems even professional sports teams should check their holiday cheer before taking counseling advice from a costume-donning bug. While they quickly issued statements trying to clear the air, they should’ve probably just sent a fruit basket alongside the apology.

To sweeten the blow, the Hornets have extended an offer to the family: a shiny new PS5 along with a VIP experience at a future game. Because nothing quite says, 'We're sorry for your Christmas magic being snatched away' like promising a gaming console paired with an evening spent watching as the team executes their latest strategy akin to watching grass grow.

Meanwhile, young Alexei Phillips, who took his nephew to the game to experience what could have been one of those sweet basketball moments you can recount for years, is likely left wondering how they ended up as unwitting co-stars in an episode of 'What Not to Do with Your Mascot.' Both Alexei and his nephew, just hoping for a celebratory night watching some basketball, were instead swept into a spectacle that no amount of jerseys can make up for. Let’s hope they get their PS5 sooner than the Hornets get a winning season.

Ultimately, Hugo the Hornet’s Christmas caper serves as a comical reminder of the fine line between playful mascots and unexpected heists. The Hornets acknowledged that the skit 'missed the mark' and issued an apology for the incident, which sparked public outcry after a video of the incident went viral on social media when the PS5 presented to a young fan was taken back after the cameras stopped rolling and replaced with a jersey. The family was later offered a PS5 and a VIP experience for a future game as a resolution to the incident.