On Tuesday, ESPN confirmed that the Dallas Mavericks, an NBA team owned by Mark Cuban, have not and will not be playing the National Anthem before their home games.
3 things to watch for as the Mavericks host the Hawks
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Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Mavericks (11-14), host the Atlanta hawks (11-12) in their fourth of seven straight at American Airlines Center. Dallas is coming off of a clutch win that shouldn’t have been a clutch win against Minnesota on Monday. The Mavericks now own a two-game winning streak and are looking for their second three game winning streak of the season.
Kristaps Porzingis played his best game of the year against the Timberwolves, putting up 27 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks on 10-for-19 shooting. He got off to a hot start, making his first four shots, and was aggressive early with plays like these:
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Mark Cuban, who owns the basketball team, confirmed to
The New York Times that it was his decision and that the team will not be playing the anthem in the future.
“It was my decision, and I made it in November,” the 62-year-old
Shark Tank star shared with the outlet.
The Mavericks never officially announced that they would stop playing the National Anthem before games. The Athletic has also reported that none of the 13 preseason and regular-season games played at the team’s stadium – American Airlines Center – have included the anthem.
Mark has been outspoken against people who criticize basketball players for kneeling during the National Anthem over past seasons.