NBA storylines to follow
Biggest NBA stories to follow in the second half of the season.
The Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic were in London for a regular-season game in London on Sunday, Jan. 18.
Actor Vanessa Williams was tasked with singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game at London’s O2 Arena.
During Williams’ rendition of the song, a member of the crowd was heard interrupting and drawing a reaction from the crowd. “Leave Greenland alone,” the audience member yelled before the comment was met with cheers from the crowd.
President Donald Trump had threatened a 25% tariff on European countries, including the United Kingdom, if America wasn’t allowed to buy Greenland.
The heckling that took place on Sunday is just the latest incident in which a sporting event has served as a platform for a member of the audience to share its displeasure for the U.S. president and his foreign policies. Canadians booed during the national anthem in 2025 after verbally threatening to raise tariffs on goods.
The NBA previously had held a game in London annually from 2011 until 2019 (other than during the 2012 season). The league returned for Sunday’s game after holding a game between the Magic and Grizzlies in Berlin on Thursday.
