The NBA officially returned Thursday with the meeting between the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans in the bubble in Orlando, Florida, after the coronavirus pandemic halted the league in March.
In the 4ยฝ months that have passed since the last game was played, the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have ignited a league-wide social justice initiative. That was the focus as the Jazz and Pelicans took the floor, with every player, coach and referee taking a knee during the national anthem.
The @PelicansNBA & @utahjazz kneel for the National Anthem ahead of the NBA restart. pic.twitter.com/TCFolP06HM
โ NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 30, 2020
Though his is one of eight teams not in Orlando, Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young took to social media to applaud the pregame ceremony. Enes Kanter, whose Boston Celtics play the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, also shared his support.
๐ค๐ค๐คThis League!!! @NBA #BlackLivesMatter
โ Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) July 31, 2020
Hell Yeah โโ๐ปโ๐ผโ๐ฝโ๐พโ๐ฟ
โ Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) July 30, 2020
Stephen Curry and Michele Roberts, executive director of the NBPA, chimed in following the pregame ceremony between the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers that also featured a Black Lives Matter tribute.
I love every one of my @NBA brothers out there! Welcome back..
โ Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) July 31, 2020
Tonight we witnessed sober, powerfully moving and heartfelt demonstrations by our players of their commitment to the pursuit of justice.
โ Michele Roberts (@MRobertsNBPA) July 31, 2020
Very proud. โฆ@TheNBPAโฉ #SayHerName #VOTE
Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell posted a message following his team's 106-104 win over the Pelicans, calling on Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron to arrest the officers involved in Taylor's death. Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma did the same following his teams 103-101 win over the LA Clippers.
Great team win felt good to be back!! But would be great if @kyoag would ARREST BREONNA TAYLORS MURDERERS!!!
โ Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) July 31, 2020
LOUISVILLE/KENTUCKY ARREST THESE DAMN COPS ALREADY๐ค
โ kuz (@kylekuzma) July 31, 2020
Mitchell's teammate, Rudy Gobert, shared his excitement along with a call to action following his game-winning shot.
Grateful to be back doing what i love the most...let's all keep inspiring the younger generations and make this world a better place for everyone. ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ#equality #love pic.twitter.com/XxXS0z8o37
โ Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) July 31, 2020
Other Jazz players Royce O'Neale and Jordan Clarkson had messages of their own, celebrating Utah's win.
Felt good to be out there with my brothers ๐๐พ๐๐พ love ๐๐ค
โ Royce O'Neale (@BucketsONeale00) July 31, 2020
felt good to be out there with the bro's again ๐ค!!!! #goodvibetribe
โ Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) July 31, 2020
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic takes the court Friday against the Houston Rockets, but took in Thursday's matchup between the top two seeds in the West. The Mavericks would face Paul George and the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs if the season ended today.
PG13 a problem! always been
โ Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) July 31, 2020
Players outside the bubble, like Maurice Harkless, who was traded from the Clippers to the New York Knicks at the deadline, shared excitement for the return of basketball but lamented missing out on the action. Young later echoed that sentiment.
NBA back !! Feel like Christmas!! Except this year I gotta watch all my brothers open their gifts while I watch and pretend to be happy for them ๐คฃ๐คฃ
โ Maurice Harkless (@moe_harkless) July 30, 2020
Wish we were there hoopin...
โ Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) July 31, 2020
....but on another note, I missed watching this game๐ !!! Good Luck to everybody out there๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฏ
โ Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) July 31, 2020