The NBA returned to action after a four-month hiatus amid the global coronavirus pandemic. But it was also a four months that saw nationwide protests against police brutality in response to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
With the push for social justice on the forefront ahead of the NBA’s return, many expected the Jazz and Pelicans to make a demonstration during the national anthem on Thursday.
And that they did.
Before the game, every member of the Pelicans, Jazz and the officials took a knee for the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice. This was the scene in Orlando.
It was the same peaceful protest that Colin Kaepernick started back in 2016 before essentially seeing an end to his NFL career.
The NBA does have a rule that requires players to stand at attention for the anthems, but league commissioner Adam Silver said in the lead-up to the restart that he respected peaceful protest and would “address” whatever the players decided on.
