Like so many other Americans, the Celtics couldn't help but follow what was taking place Wednesday in Washington, D.C., where supporters of President Donald Trump stormed and vandalized the U.S. Capitol, forcing lawmakers to evacuate the building and delaying the certification of President-Elect Joe Biden's election victory.
Combined with the news from Tuesday that there would be no criminal charges in the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin -- the event that prompted NBA players to go on strike in the Orlando bubble back in August -- Celtics and Heat players were moved to issue a joint statement before Wednesday night's game in Miami contrasting the treatment of Black Lives Matter protesters with the treatment of the Trump supporters who stormed the nation's capitol.
"2021 is a new year, but some things have not changed," the statement reads. "We play tonight’s game with a heavy heart after yesterday’s decision in Kenosha, and knowing that protesters in our nation’s capital are treated differently by political leaders depending on what side of certain issues they are on. The drastic difference between the way protesters this past spring and summer were treated and the encouragement given to today’s protestors who acted illegally just shows how much more work we have to do.
"We have decided to play tonight’s game to try to bring joy into people’s lives. But we must not forget the injustices in our society, and we will continue to use our voices and our platform to highlight these issues and do everything we can to work for a more equal and just America.
"#BLACKLIVESSTILLMATTER"
Both teams took the court for warmups much later than usual, and players on both teams took a knee during the national anthem.
Before the game, Celtics coach Brad Stevens weighed in on what unfolded in Washington.
"I watched it all. I assume our players watched it all," Stevens said. "I guess my reaction is sad. I think we all hope that the people we elect to lead us are supposed to be modeling leadership and do so in a way that is motivated by serving others, by showing compassion, by acting gracefully. Instead, we elected a president, who luckily is on his way out, and others that have not shown that kind of grace. It has been consistent and they just operated in a win-at-all-costs attitude.
"Our sports world is a lot less important, but I always thought if you operated with that attitude, it’s going to be a pretty unfulfilled ending. In this instance, a disgraceful ending. I’m looking forward to two weeks from now, as I know a lot of people are."