For the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, that meant leaving the court together shortly before their game in Miami, with the two teams issuing a joint statement just prior to tipoff.
"2021 is a new year, but some things have not changed," the statement read. "We play tonight's game with a heavy heart after yesterday's decision in Kenosha, and knowing that protesters in our nation's capital are treated differently by political leaders depending on what side of certain issues they are on. The drastic difference between the way protesters this past spring and summer were treated and the encouragement given to today's protestors who acted illegally just shows how much more work we have to do.
"We have decided to play tonight's game to try to bring joy into people's lives. But we must not forget the injustices in our society, and we will continue to use our voices and our platform to highlight these issues and do everything we can to work for a more equal and just America."
The statement concluded with the hashtag "BLACKLIVESSTILLMATTER."
Most players from both teams also took a knee during the national anthem.