NEW YORK — Kyrie Irving said Wednesday he opposes all forms of hate, and he and the Brooklyn Nets will each donate $500,000 toward groups that work to eradicate it.
While not explicitly apologizing, Irving took responsibility for the negative impact on the Jewish community that was caused by his appearing to support an antisemitic work, as the Nets and their star guard worked to soothe the anger that had been directed at them since Irving’s Twitter post and refusal to apologize for it.
“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day,” Irving said in a joint statement with the Nets and Anti-Defamation League. “I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility.”
Irving had drawn criticism around the NBA – including from Nets owner Joe Tsai – for posting a link to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” on his Twitter feed last week.
“I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles,” Irving said. “I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen.”
Irving hadn’t spoken since Saturday, when he defiantly defended his right to post about material he believes. He didn’t talk to reporters after either of the Nets’ home games since – one of them featuring fans wearing “Fight Antisemitism” shirts as they sat courtside.
“There is no room for antisemitism, racism, false narratives or misguided attempts to create animosity and hate,” said Sam Zussman, the CEO of BSE Global, parent company of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center. “Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need to ensure education in these areas. We are putting our prior statements into practice because actions speak louder than words.”
Irving and the Nets will work with the ADL to develop inclusive educational programming to combat all forms of bigotry and antisemitism.
General Manager Sean Marks said Tuesday that the Nets had been in discussions with the ADL on the proper way to respond to the fallout involving Irving, who was not punished by the team or the NBA.
“At a time when antisemitism has reached historic levels, we know the best way to fight the oldest hatred is to both confront it head-on and also to change hearts and minds,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said.
The Nets added that they and the WNBA’s New York Liberty would host a series of community conversations at Barclays Center in partnership with ADL and other national civil rights organizations and local community associations.
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
WIZARDS 121, 76ERS 111: Kristaps Porzingis had 30 points and nine rebounds, Bradley Beal added 29 points and visiting Washington took advantage of Joel Embiid’s absence to beat Philadelphia.
Kyle Kuzma also added 18 points for Washington, which didn’t trail for the final three quarters of the game.
Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points for the 76ers, and James Harden had 24 and Tobias Harris added 16.
Embiid missed his third game of the season, sitting out with an illness the team said was not related to COVID-19.
HEAT 110, KINGS 107: Tyler Herro’s 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left became the winner, lifting Miami past visiting Sacramento.
Herro had a game-high 26 for the Heat, who won for the second straight night. Kyle Lowry scored 22 and Bam Adebayo added 20 for Miami.
Kevin Huerter and Domantas Sabonis each scored 22 for Sacramento.
HAWKS 112, KNICKS 99: Dejounte Murray scored a career-high 36 points and visiting Atlanta overcame a 23-point deficit to beat New York.
Trae Young added 17 points despite missing time in the second half because of a left eye contusion, before returning wearing protective glasses with 7:04 left in the game.
De’Andre Hunter finished with 21 points and John Collins added 12 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta.
Jalen Brunson scored 20 points for the Knicks. RJ Barrett had 19 and Julius Randle finished with 14.
BULLS 106, HORNETS 88: Javonte Green scored 17 points on 7-for-7 shooting, leading a strong performance by Chicago’s reserves and helping the Bulls beat visiting Charlotte.
Patrick Williams had 16 points and Nikola Vucevic added 14 points and 13 rebounds as Chicago cruised to its second straight win despite an off night for stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.
Led by Green and Goran Dragic, who had 16 points, Chicago’s reserves outscored Charlotte’s bench 49-28.
CLIPPERS 109, ROCKETS 101: Paul George scored 28 points, Marcus Morris added 21 and Los Angeles won at Houston.
Los Angeles was without Kawhi Leonard, who did not make the trip because of stiffness in his surgically repaired right knee. It’s the fifth straight game he’s missed, and his time off will stretch to six games Friday when the team visits San Antonio.
Alperen Sengun had 26 points and 13 rebounds and Jalen Green scored 22 points for the Rockets, who have dropped five straight since their only win this season.
RAPTORS 143, SPURS 100: Pascal Siakam had 22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in just 28 minutes, and visiting Toronto beat depleted San Antonio for its largest victory of the season.
San Antonio was without starters Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell, and reserves Isaiah Roby and Blake Wesley. The Spurs also sat rookie forward Jeremy Sochan early in the second quarter due to restricted minutes after a one-game absence with flulike symptoms.
Gary Trent Jr. scored 24 points for the Raptors, who were without All-Star guard Fred VanVleet but had plenty left to score a season high in points and force a season-high 23 turnovers.
BUCKS 116, PISTONS 91: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 12 rebounds and Milwaukee matched a franchise record with its seventh straight win to open the season, beating visiting Detroit.
Milwaukee’s 7-0 season-opening run matches the starts of the 2018-19 and 1971-72 teams.
Jrue Holiday, who was uncertain to play because of a non-COVID-19 illness, added 26 points for the NBA’s only undefeated team. Jordan Nwora scored 12 off the bench.
Four Pistons scored in double figures, led by Saddiq Bey’s 22 points. Isaiah Stewart finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Bojan Bogdanovic added 14 points and Cade Cunningham 10.
MAVERICKS 103, JAZZ 100: Luka Doncic scored 33 points, his seventh consecutive game of at least 30 to begin the season, reserve Christian Wood added 17 of his 21 in the second half and Dallas beat visiting Utah.
Doncic also had 11 assists while becoming the third NBA player to score 30 or more points in his team’s first seven games of the season, the first since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962-63.
Chamberlain also did it beginning 1959-60, and Jack Twyman did it that same season.
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