Overview
- A video post on X by Matt Wallace went viral after Game 1 of the NBA Finals and accused several San Antonio Spurs players of refusing to place a hand over their hearts.
- The clip, widely shared on Wednesday, showed most Spurs with heads bowed and hands at their sides and drew particular attention to Victor Wembanyama folding his arms.
- ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith called the allegation 'patently false' and noted that placing a hand over the heart is not a required or universal gesture during the anthem.
- The Spurs have not faced league action and are prioritizing basketball corrections after a 105-95 Game 1 loss, with Wembanyama admitting, 'I was bad tonight.'
- Reporters and commentators said the episode illustrates how short clips can create misleading narratives online and pointed out the Knicks did not uniformly place hands over their hearts either.