A singer who performed the United States national anthem before the Golden State Warriors’ NBA game against the Miami Heat has faced criticism after displaying a rainbow flag during the performance.
The incident took place on Thursday at Chase Center, where the Warriors marked their annual Pride Night during their game against Miami.
As he sang The Star-Spangled Banner, the performer reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a rainbow flag, which he began waving in front of the audience.
He raised the flag while singing the word ‘proud’, holding the note for several seconds as spectators responded with applause.
The broadcast subsequently showed players standing on the court during the performance.
Several appeared to be laughing, although the reason for their reaction was not established.
Social Media Users Condemn Anthem Performance
Footage of the performance quickly circulated online, prompting criticism from viewers who accused the singer of using the national anthem to make a political statement.
One social media user wrote: ‘He is kicking off Woke 2.0 with that pride flag during the National Anthem.’
Another criticised the Warriors and the NBA, posting: ‘@Warriors so DISRESPECTFUL! @NBA this is so terrible.’
A third viewer referenced the controversy surrounding LeBron James and his conduct during the national anthem at a recent Philadelphia 76ers game.
‘Between this and LeBron disrespecting the anthem, I’m over the NBA,’ the user wrote.
Another commenter suggested that the players were also unimpressed, saying: ‘Even the players know how ridiculous this is.’
Others described the incident as ‘disgraceful and disgusting’, while another social media user called it ‘insulting’.
Steve Kerr Mocks Trump Over Midterm Election Results
The anthem controversy came on the same day Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made jokes about President Donald Trump following disappointing results for Republicans in the midterm elections.
The election results saw Democrats secure victories in several Senate, House, gubernatorial and state legislative contests across the country, dealing a blow to Trump’s political plans for the remaining two years of his presidency.
Kerr, who has previously spoken publicly against Trump and supported liberal policies, was asked about the election results.
He responded by referring to Trump’s previously discussed proposal to give Americans $5,000 dividend payments if Republicans performed well in the midterms.
‘I’m disappointed,’ Kerr told reporters. ‘I was looking forward to that $5,000 check we were all going to get.’
He continued: ‘I thought for sure… I already spent it, in fact, and I was so excited about it and sure about it that I spent it already.’
Kerr then joked that he would now have to find another way to deal with the money he had expected to receive.
‘Now I’m gonna have to figure something out,’ he added.
Warriors Extend Winning Streak With Victory Over Miami
Away from the controversies surrounding the pre-game ceremony and Kerr’s political comments, Golden State secured a 120-100 victory over Miami to record its sixth consecutive win.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 29 points, while Yaxel Lendeborg contributed 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Draymond Green recorded a season-high 11 assists, while Georges Niang added 13 points off the bench.
The Warriors extended their winning run after beginning the season with three consecutive defeats.
For Miami, Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Davion Mitchell recorded 22 points and eight assists.
Bam Adebayo also contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Miami struggled during a decisive stretch in the third quarter, when Golden State outscored the visitors 26-9 to establish control of the contest.
