The San Antonio Spurs are on basketball’s biggest stage, meaning all eyes are on them, even before tipoff.
Some viewers were taken aback by several Spurs players not putting their hands over their hearts during the U.S. national anthem ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, but ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has since clarified what happened.
Stephen A. Smith Defends Spurs After National Anthem Backlash
Political pundit Matt Wallace claimed the Spurs were being disrespectful for not honoring the flag by not putting their hands over their hearts. However, Smith strongly pushed back on the notion.
“This is patently false. There are plenty of people who listen to the Nat’l Anthem and simply bow their heads with their hands in front of them or behind their backs and pay respects. Holding your hand over your heart is not a requirement. The Spurs were not being disrespectful in anyway. Who is anyone to say they were just over that gesture? That is utterly ridiculous!!!” Smith wrote on X.
This is patently false. There are plenty of people who listen to the Nat’l Anthem and simply bow their heads with their hands in front of them or behind their backs and pay respects. Holding your hand over your heart is not a requirement. The Spurs were not being disrespectful in… https://t.co/zGVOTHKNlR
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 4, 2026
Notably, a few Spurs placed their hands over their hearts during the national anthem, and the ones who didn’t appeared to be minding their own business. Plus, there have been no indications that they were trying to make a statement.
What Smith brought up is nothing new. Plenty of players have opted not to partake in the pregame gesture, and there have been no signs that suggest such decisions are meant as disrespect toward the country.
Regardless, Game 1 between San Antonio and New York proved to be an entertaining contest. The Spurs were largely in control before the Knicks rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit and closed them out in the fourth quarter.
Jalen Brunson’s late-game heroics guided the Knicks to a 105-95 series-opening road victory, their 12th straight playoff win, continuing their dominant run.
