NBA restarts playing, united against racism

BASKETBALL

LOS ANGELES: NBA teams bowed their heads and knelt during the playing of the US national anthem while wearing Black Lives Matter Tshirts yesterday as the league returned for the first time since Covid19 halted play in March with two thrilling games.

Coaches and game officials joined players from the Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers kneeling to protest racial injustice and police brutality, in the first games in 140 days.

Black Lives Matter was also written on the courts at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, where the NBA plans to finish its season with 22 teams inside a biosecure bubble.

‘‘The game of basketball has always been bigger than just the ball, the rim, 10 guys on the floor and referees,’’ the Lakers LeBron James said after hitting the gamewinning shot in his team’s 103101 win over the Clippers.

‘‘It’s an opportunity to use this platform to spread a lot of positivity and love throughout the whole world.’’

He said that while there has been progress in the fight against systemic racism, the key was to maintain momentum.

‘‘We want to keep our foot on the gas,’’ he said. ‘‘We’re dealing with a lot of racism, a lot of social injustice and a lot of police brutality, not only in my neighbourhood and not only with Black people, but with all people of colour.’’

Some players had messages like ‘‘Equality,’’ ‘‘Education Reform’’ and ‘‘Say Their Names’’ on the backs of their jersey replacing their names.

Athletes from around the world have united behind antiracism protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, a Black man in police custody in May.

In the first game, the Jazz came from behind to defeat the Pelicans 106104 after the Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram’s threepointer at the buzzer rimmed out, while in the second the Lakers pipped the Clippers 103101.

The games are being played without fans, but ‘‘virtual fans’’ appeared on LED screens wrapped around the court and a simulation of a crowd’s cheers and jeers could be heard. — Reuters

PHOTO: REUTERS Unified message . . . LeBron James (left) and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers kneel with their teammates in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before their game against the LA Clippers in Lake Buena Vista, Florida yesterday.