Orlando (United States) (AFP)

Orlando winger Jonathan Isaac did not kneel down on Friday during the American anthem before the game against Brooklyn, becoming the first NBA player not to keep up with the outpouring of collective support for "Black Lives Matter" initiated the watch for the resumption of the season.

Unlike the players, coaches and referees of the Utah-Pelicans and Lakers-Clippers meetings on Thursday, it is not exactly in unison that the various actors of this Magic-Nets have kneeled down, to protest against racial injustices.

All did so except Isaac, who was not wearing the "Black Lives Matter" t-shirt either, but his white Magic jersey.

It is unknown why the 22-year-old African-American player chose not to kneel down, although several US media report pain in his left knee.

The Orlando franchise supported the initiative of (almost all) its members in a statement: "We fully support the players who have chosen to leverage their NBA voice platform to send a peaceful and powerful message condemning bigotry. , racial injustice and the unwarranted use of violence by police, especially against people of color. "

Thursday, the NBA season resumed its rights in the bubble of Disney World (Florida) after more than four months of interruption due to the coronavirus, under the sign of "Black Lives Matter", with this solemn sequence, supported by comments from players on this subject after their matches, putting basketball in the background.

"We understand what's going on in society right now and we are using this platform that is the NBA to get the message across and stay strong on this point. It's a good start," said LeBron James.

© 2020 AFP