OFF THE WALL

NBA reacts to Nichols’ video with raw emotion

Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins (right) watched a televised interview on Friday of Tyre Nichols’ mother speaking about the loss of her son, and lost control of his emotions, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.

“I cried,” Jenkins said. The outrage, frustration, sadness and anger was evident around the NBA on Friday, the day that video was released showing how Nichols, a 29-yearold father, was killed by five Memphis police officers. Several teams released statements of support for the family, as did the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association.

And the emotions around the league were palpable, as has been the case so many times after so many other incidents of violence by police against Black men and women in recent years.

“This is just crazy,” said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra,

who

opened his pregame news conference Friday by speaking about Nichols before any questions were even asked.

The officers, who are also Black, all face second-degree murder charges, as well as charges of aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. And the Grizzlies played a game in Minneapolis — the city where George Floyd, a Black man, was killed after a white police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck in an act that sparked protests worldwide over police brutality and racism — on Friday night with heavy hearts.

“The senseless loss of life for Tyre Nichols has really hit us hard,” Jenkins told Bally Sports, the Grizzlies’ broadcast partner, in a pregame interview from Minnesota. “It’s been tough being on the road, not being home. I wish I could extend my arms through this camera right now to the family. They’re going through a lot.”

There was a moment of silence before the game in Minnesota. Several teams, including Miami, Atlanta, Cleveland, Minnesota and Milwaukee, released statements.

“We are outraged by the deadly beating that Tyre Nichols received from five Memphis police officers,” the Bucks said in their statement. “While the police officers being charged for their heinous actions is an important step for justice, this incident further highlights the need for progress in improving policecommunity relations.”

“The images of Tyre Nichols’ life needlessly cut short are horrifying,” the league said in a statement. “While there have been steps toward accountability in this instance, the NBA family remains committed to partnering

with advocates, policymakers and law enforcement to work toward solutions to the issues we continue to face.” Trivia question On this date in 1936, the first five members of baseball’s Hall of Fame were named. How many can you identify? He said it

From RJ Currie of Sportsdeke.com: “Tiger Woods recently told Golf Channel’s Morning Drive if all the pieces fall into place, he still has a shot at Jack Nicklaus’ 18 majors. It was so inspiring, I mailed another marriage proposal to Anne Hathaway.”

Trivia answer

Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson Walter Johnson.

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