NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday night he expects players to stand for the national anthem, according to a report by ESPN.

While standing during the national anthem is not an NFL rule but is an NBA league rule , Silver wants NBA players to understand that it’s important to show respect to the flag.

Silver also said wants players to engage their communities and continue having difficult conversations about social injustices, according to ESPN.

ESPN reported Silver said if a player should refuse to stand once the season begins, “we’ll deal with it when it happens.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Kirby Smart-Georgia football-Georgia-Texas

Credit: Jeff Sentell

Featured

Amy Bielawski, who runs Hare-Brained Productions, prepares to work at a Fall Festival in Stone Mountain on Oct. 4, 2025. Bielawski is worried she may not be able to afford health care through Georgia Access when subsidies expire. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC