Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse and Philadelphia’s Doc Rivers both characterized the chaotic scenes playing out in Washington D.C. Wednesday the same way: “disturbing.”
Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens called it “disgraceful,” before his team eventually released a joint statement with the Miami Heat, calling attention to the stark difference in the response to recent protests for racial justice and the mob that overtook the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday with Trump signs and confederate flags in tow.
With the unrest continuing in D.C., many in the sports world shared their thoughts on the meaning of this moment:
After initially leaving the floor to hold a players-only meeting, the Celtics and Heat kneeled for the anthem together prior to tipoff:
Per Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, the Raptors and Phoenix Suns discussed similarly taking action before their game tonight, and eventually decided to link arms during the playing of the American and Canadian national anthems.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons opted to take a knee after tipoff as well:
An absolute disgrace what’s happening at the US Capitol right now. And a blatant example of inequity in how law enforcement chooses to deal with those involved.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) January 6, 2021
