NBA players react on social media to the season restart opener

Whether it was the pre-game social justice display, or the gameplay, players were very happy to see NBA back in action.

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The NBA season restart tipped off Thursday night as the Utah Jazz matched up against the New Orleans Pelicans at HP Field House at the Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida.

The evening began with the players and coaches each taking the court in “Black Lives Matter” warm-up shirts. Players and coaches then locked arms while the NBA played a public service announcement about systemic racism. Eventually, the referees joined the players and coaches to take a knee during the playing of the national anthem to protest racism.

The pre-game ceremonies were praised on social media ahead of the start of the contest as social injustices and racism have become front and center worldwide. The stated goal of the season restart is to take collective action to combat systematic racial inequalities and promote social justice as players raise awareness for key issues.

Following the symbolic gesture, the NBA officially resumed the 2019-20 season. Fittingly, after becoming the first player publicly to test positive for the coronavirus, Jazz center Rudy Gobert scored the first basket of the season restart. Quickly after, Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson converted an And-1 attempt on the other end of the floor.

Whether it was the social justice display prior to the start of the game, or the gameplay between the two teams, players around the NBA were very happy to see league back in action.

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