The NBA has officially mandated the national anthem be played before the opening tip of all games now that fans are returning to arenas.

NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass said Wednesday teams will abide what has been league policy for quite some time:

“With NBA teams now in the process of welcoming fans back into their arenas, all teams will play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy,” Bass said in a statement, via Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.

The announcement comes shortly after Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban confirmed the team wasn't playing the anthem before games this season. Cuban had consulted with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the matter and had planned for the trend to continue.

It seems the NBA did not prohibit the Mavs from avoiding the playing of the anthem because the league left it to individual teams to carry out operations in home arenas without fans present:

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
NBA great Kevin Garnett is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Kevin Garnett’s hyped reaction to looming Bronny James-Cooper Flagg showdownAbdullah Imran ·
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) dribbles the ball against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center.
Will Cooper Flagg be Mavericks’ point guard until Kyrie Irving returns from injury?Joey Mistretta ·
Mavericks Luka Doncic on left, Mavericks Cooper Flagg on right, stop light in the middle on red.
Why the Cooper Flagg-Luka Doncic comparisons must come to an endJoey Mistretta ·
mavericks, dallas mavericks, d'angelo russell
The player Dallas Mavericks must avoid in 2025 NBA free agencyGarrett Kerman ·
Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg reveals his favorite WNBA player’s gameAbdullah Imran ·
Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving talks with Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) after the game against the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center.
Wings’ Paige Bueckers reveals how Kyrie Irving inspired ‘unguardable’ motivationJoey Mistretta ·

“Under the unique circumstances of this season, teams are permitted to run their pregame operations as they see fit,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said, via The Associated Press.

However, with fans returning to some arenas, the NBA has changed its course. Cuban said Wednesday the organization is fine with the mandate and will comply:

Dallas hosted fans for the first time this season Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as over 1,500 essential workers were in attendance.

With fans returning to the stands, the Mavs and all other 29 franchises will be required to play the national anthem.