The entire NBA was once again up in arms following the violent riots that rocked the US Capitol on Wednesday morning. So much so, that the scheduled match between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat was on the brink of getting postponed, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Asked source who has been briefed on the pregame events here if not playing for an option for Celtics-Heat. "Almost," the source said.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) January 7, 2021
Even in aftermath of meeting, there was still an expectation the Celtics-Heat game would be played, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/S09prsp2LB
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 7, 2021
Given that NBA players were still riled up over the Kenosha County District Attorney's ruling to not file charges against the police officer who shot Jacob Blake back in August, that riot sparked by Donald Trump supporters was indeed the last straw.
The Celtics and Heat reportedly held a closed-door meeting 45 minutes before tip-off to assess their next course of action. Both teams initially walked off the court, which was similar to the Milwaukee Bucks' last-minute decision to boycott their playoff game against the Orlando Magic last season in the wake of Jacob Blake's shooting.
However, both teams decided to return to the floor and collectively took a knee during the national anthem as a sign of protest. The Bucks and the Detroit Pistons also followed suit and took a knee as well at the beginning of their contest. The other six teams scheduled to play today are also expected to take the same route.
The NBA, meanwhile, has already thrown their full support for players and teams who wish to use the league as their platform to fight against social injustices. The memorable 2019-20 season was almost canceled entirely at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement last year.
The league's latest stand following these troubling times is further proof that the NBA is indeed more than just basketball.
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