That was the last time Waiters started alongside James. He was moved to the bench the next night in Utah, and responded by missing the national anthem. He told a reporter two nights later (and moments before tip-off in Denver) that he skipped the anthem in Utah because he was returning to his Muslim faith. Yet, minutes after saying that, Waiters was back on the court for the anthem that night in Denver. A team official told Waiters after the game that he was well within his rights to practice any religion, but this was not a topic to discuss publicly with reporters that night. When the Cavs returned home, the matter was clarified as a misunderstanding.