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All 30 NBA teams release public statements on racial injustice following death of George Floyd

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NBA.com Staff
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The NBA, its teams, coaches, players and executives are outraged by the violence that led to the death of George Floyd and countless other African Americans.

League commissioner Adam Silver stated the following as part of an internal memo distributed on June 1: "I spent the weekend watching the protests around the country over the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. As a league, we share the outrage and offer our sincere condolences to their families and friends. Just as we are fighting a pandemic, which is impacting communities and people of color more than anyone else, we are being reminded that there are wounds in our country that have never healed.

"Racism, police brutality and racial injustice remain part of everyday life in America and cannot be ignored. At the same time, those who serve and protect our communities honorably and heroically are again left to answer for those who don't."

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was handcuffed and unarmed as a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes despite several pleas that he could not breathe.

Here's what's being said -- and done -- within the NBA community.

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Atlanta Hawks

From the organization

Boston Celtics

From the organization 

"Like many others across the country, the heartbreaking and senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, along with other recent events, have left the entire Celtics organization struggling with grief and anger. During a time in which the phrase 'new normal' has often been used as our nation has struggled with the devastation of a pandemic, we imagine and hope for a 'new normal' where every citizen is afforded the same rights, has the same opportunities, receives the same treatment, and can peacefully enjoy every freedom promised to all of us." (Full statement)

Brooklyn Nets

From the organization 

“Not all of us can ever be in a position to experience the personal pain, fear and despair of Black Americans in light of the events. But our instinct tells us that the lack of respect for human life, fueled by prejudice, is simply wrong. All people, regardless of color, race or ethnicity, deserve to be treated with human dignity and protected from violence. Our hearts are broken by the attacks on the personal safety and dignity of the Black community.”

Charlotte Hornets

From team owner Michael Jordan 

"I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry. I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough."

Jordan has also pledged to donate $100 million over the next 10 years to "organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education." 

MORE: Michael Jordan's 100 million dollar pledge

Chicago Bulls

From president of team charities Nancy Reinsdorf and president and COO Michael Reinsdorf 

“There is a crisis in our country, and we need to redouble our efforts and work harder than ever. We have to rise above our differences and come together to affect real change for the future; otherwise we're going to see the past repeat itself again. We have to listen to each other, act with love and be intentional and relentless in our pursuit of a better world. It is time.”

Cleveland Cavaliers

From Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman and coach J.B. Bickerstaff 

“This is not the first time that we have had to stand together in an attempt to impact change, but this could be the first time we actually “DO” create change for all of humanity. In the face of desired change, we cannot treat this as an isolated incident of outrage, but one that we remain consistently engaged with and one where we focus our energy toward sustainable accountability.”

Dallas Mavericks

From the organization

"We will NOT stand for injustice, inequity, and disparity. History goes through phases. Phases in Restoring (justice), Rebuilding (communities) and Rebounding (as people)."

Denver Nuggets

From the organization

"Our nation is in mourning and in pain as we continue to struggle with the persistent legacy of racism and racial inequality. So often, sports have played a critical role in binding and integrating societies. During some of America’s darkest days, sports have provided a source of light. From Jesse Owens to Jackie Robinson to Muhammad Ali, selfless and courageous athletes have opened our hearts, eyes and minds. Embracing diversity and accommodating difference to create a symphonic whole, marks a core virtue of any team."

Detroit Pistons

From coach Dwane Casey

“Fifty-four years ago I was an eight-year-old boy living in rural Kentucky when the schools were desegregated.  I walked into a white school where I was not wanted nor welcomed.  At that time there were no cell phones to record my treatment, no cable news stations with 24/7 coverage, no social media to record the reality of the situation or offer support nor condemnation.  But I can remember exactly how I felt as an eight-year-old child.  I felt helpless.  I felt as if I was neither seen, nor heard, nor understood.  As I have watched the events unfold in the days following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a city where I coached and once called home, I see how many people continue to feel those same feelings - helpless, frustrated, invisible, angry."

From the organization

Golden State Warriors

From the organization

"We condemn, in no uncertain terms, racism and violence perpetrated against members of the Black community, and we call on all people to channel their justifiable anger into creating a more just and equitable society."

Houston Rockets

From the organization

"We mourn for and are angered by the senseless death of George Floyd, a man raised in Houston's Third Ward. Inexcusably, our Black community continues to be subject to racism, bigotry, prejudice and fear. This must end. All people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. We condemn violence in all its forms. As an organization, we are committed to working with our players, coaches, employees and community leaders to affect meaningful and lasting change."

Indiana Pacers

From the organization

“Tragic events in the Black community leave us with a shared sense of sadness and moral outrage. We condemn racism and we fully support those peacefully coming forward in the names of justice and change. Our city and our state are strong and resilient, and we must listen to and respect each other.”

LA Clippers

From coach Doc Rivers

“My father was a 30-year veteran of the Chicago police department, and if he were still with us right now, he'd be hurt and outraged by the senseless acts of racial injustice that continue to plague our country. Being black in America is tough. I've personally been called more racial slurs than I can count, been pulled over many times because of the color of my skin, and even had my home burned down. The response we are seeing across the nation, to the murder of George Floyd, is decades in the making. Too often, people rush to judge the response, instead of the actions that prompted it. We have allowed too many tragedies to pass in vain. This isn't an African-American issue. This is a human issue. Our society must start getting comfortable with the uncomfortable conversation and do the right thing.”

Los Angeles Lakers

From the organization

“We condemn racism, bigotry, violence and prejudice in all its forms. Everyone has the right to live free from fear and to be treated with dignity and respect. We hear the pain of our Black community and we will not stay silent.”

Memphis Grizzlies

From the organization

Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. asserted on Twitter that America needs to improve and shared his appreciation for the protests in Memphis: "Couldn't have been prouder of the love, the spirit, the humanity that was demonstrated last night in the city's protest," Jackson wrote. "It was a feeling that I cannot describe and touched so many. It was a protest that was peaceful, of course don't need to say that, but it was also intentional. Folks walked together, chanted together, all the way to the Lorraine Hotel." 

Miami Heat

From the organization

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra also released a statement.

Milwaukee Bucks

From the organization

“We are distraught and angered by the senseless death of George Floyd, but we know this is not an isolated case. Racial biases, abuses of power and injustices continue to plague communities throughout the country, including Milwaukee. There needs to be more accountability. As an organization, we remain deeply committed to address issues of social injustice and to make meaningful change for African-Americans and all marginalized members of our community.”

Minnesota Timberwolves

From the organization

“Our community is grieving the senseless tragedy and death of George Floyd. The entire Timberwolves and Lynx organization shares its deepest sympathy with the Floyd family. We will work tirelessly to use our voices to influence change, encourage healing, and promote thoughtful action as we move forward.”

Go behind the scenes as Timberwolves players Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Okogie attend a rally for George Floyd.

New Orleans Pelicans

From team owner Gayle Benson

New York Knicks

From the organization

Oklahoma City Thunder

From the organization

Thunder assistant coach Maurice Cheeks also shared his own personal account of a police encounter that could have changed his life.

Orlando Magic

From CEO Alex Martins

“We stand with our neighbors and the nation in condemning the horrific and senseless death of George Floyd. There have been far too many victims of racial bias and abuses of power, particularly in the Black community. As an organization, we remain deeply committed to providing an environment where all feel welcomed, valued and appreciated, where all are treated with dignity and respect.”

Philadelphia 76ers

From the organization

“Our black community and people of color continue to face racism, prejudice and injustice. It is unacceptable and we cannot and will not tolerate it in our community. Now, more than ever, we must strive for accountability, including ensuring that our community is treated with fairness, transparency and dignity. We must stay united and strong during the conflict and hurt we are experiencing. The 76ers are committed to using our voice and taking action to support and drive change that is long overdue.”

Phoenix Suns

From the organization

From coach Monty Williams 

“I’m angry. I’m afraid. And I’m in pain. When I read those words, I feel like I’m channeling one of my kids. These are the words of a teenager lost and looking for direction in a messed-up world, not the sentiment of an NBA head coach and former player. We’re supposed to have all of the answers. We’re supposed to be seen as grace under pressure. We’re supposed to lead by example. Still, I am angry, afraid and in pain. I don’t have all the answers, but I know the solutions start with love, listening, compassion, service and defending those who can’t defend themselves. And I have definitely lost my cool over the years in the face of abject racism -- dating back to my earliest memories growing up in Colonial Virginia -- and likely more in the days to come.”

Portland Trail Blazers

From the organization 

“We are devastated and frustrated by the most recent senseless acts of violence in the long continuum of racial injustice in our country. The Trail Blazers organization and players grieve the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless others who have lost their lives in this increasingly familiar manner. This unprecedented moment has challenged us to not be silent but to use our voices, our time and our energy to be genuine allies to those who endure these injustices directly.” 

Sacramento Kings

From team owner and chairman Vivek Ranadivé 

“For all the hope and promise that our country stands for, the freedom to live without fear from the vitriol and hatred of racism is not a reality for millions of Black Americans. Unfortunately, this is not new. For hundreds of years, innumerable men, women and children have been treated as less than, asked to work twice as hard and taken too early as a result of bias, bigotry and unequal treatment.”

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs initiated a social media campaign #SpursVoices to amplify the message and voice of coaches, players, members of the organization and fans in the San Antonio community. The series acts as an ongoing statement and conversation on how racism impacts the organization. Here is the first of these videos:

Here is head coach Gregg Popovich.

Toronto Raptors

From the organization

From team president Masai Ujiri 

“Ever since I first saw the video, I’ve been thinking about the cycle. A death like this happens, and we rage about it, and the headlines recede, and the world moves on, and then a few weeks later something else happens and we’re outraged again and then we move on, again. We have to stop that cycle. No one can deny the police have a tough job. But they are peace officers. They are supposed to protect all of us. This is the profession they chose. I didn’t see any peace or protection when that officer had his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck. I saw indifference.”

Utah Jazz

From team owner Gail Miller 

“Hearts across America, and in Utah, are hurting following events of racism, discrimination and injustice sparked by the recent and senseless death of George Floyd. As I stated on the basketball court of Vivint Smart Home Arena last year, ‘We believe in treating all people with courtesy and respect as human beings ... no one wins when respect goes away.’"

Washington Wizards

A united statement from the players

"We will no longer tolerate the assassination of people of color in this country. We will no longer accept the abuse of power from law enforcement. We will no longer accept ineffective government leaders who are tone-deaf, lack compassion or respect for communities of color. We will no longer shut up and dribble."

From team ownership group Monumental Sports & Entertainment 

"The death of George Floyd, and many other black Americans, is unconscionable. We believe that there needs to be action and leadership to tackle and address the social injustices and inequities in systemic racism. We stand together knowing there is more to be done."

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