The NBA's Utah Jazz confirmed its assist for the individuals of Ukraine in a history-making manner on Wednesday night time, enjoying the Ukrainian nationwide anthem previous to the workforce's 123-85 win over the Portland Path Blazers.

Violinist Gabriel Gordon, who has been enjoying the instrument for greater than 40 years, carried out Ukraine's nationwide anthem in entrance of the sold-out crowd in Salt Lake Metropolis. It was the primary time in NBA historical past that a nationwide anthem in addition to the USA or Canadian nationwide anthems had been performed earlier than an NBA sport, KSL-TV reported.

Gordon, who has family members in Ukraine, instructed KSL that he is on a mission.

"It is all about my private mission to have the ability to present solidarity to different people who find themselves struggling on the earth," he mentioned.

Utah Jazz player
The Ukrainian nationwide anthem was performed earlier than the Utah Jazz- Portland Path Blazers sport on March 9, 2022, marking the primary time an anthem apart from the U.S. of Canadian nationwide anthem had been performed earlier than an NBA sport. Mike Conley of the Utah Jazz in motion through the first half of a sport towards the Portland Path Blazers at Vivint Good Residence Area on March 9, 2022 in Salt Lake Metropolis.Alex Goodlett/Getty Photographs

A spokesperson for the Utah Jazz mentioned Wednesday night's efficiency was only one method to honor and present respect to these struggling in Ukraine.

"With a full home of 18,000 individuals, it is actually kind of our second to suppose and bear in mind what the refugees and other people of Ukraine are dealing with in these extraordinarily troublesome instances," Jazz spokesperson Frank Zang instructed KSL.

Additionally, earlier than Wednesday's sport, the Jazz, in one other act of assist for the Ukrainian individuals, introduced that it had teamed up with Airbnb to contribute short-term lodging for over 32,000 nights of stays for Ukrainian refugees who've been displaced because of the Russian invasion.

In saying the partnership between the 2 organizations, Ryan Smith, the proprietor of the Jazz, harassed the significance of serving to the Ukrainian individuals.

"Connection and neighborhood have by no means been extra essential than it's immediately," Smith mentioned in a press release launched on Airbnb's web site. "Hundreds of thousands of individuals have been pressured to depart behind their whole lives in Ukraine. Airbnb.org is connecting host households with refugees in want, creating protected havens when so many communities are being torn aside."

"I can not start to precise my because of the Utah Jazz Basis for his or her assist of Airbnb.org's work," Joe Gebbia, Airbnb co-founder and chairman of Airbnb.org, mentioned. "This unimaginable dedication will play a significant function in serving to us meet our aim of offering free, short-term housing to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine – providing not solely a roof over their heads, but in addition a protected place to assemble and regroup."

Earlier this month, the NBA introduced it was eradicating all of their enterprise actions out of Russia following their invasion of the jap European nation, in line with Sports activities Enterprise Journal.

In late February, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine acquired underway, the NBA's solely two Ukrainian-born gamers – Svi Mykhailiuk and Alex Len – launched a press release condemning the army transfer towards the nation.

"We pray for our households, pals, family members and all people who find themselves within the territory of Ukraine. We hope for an finish to this horrible warfare as quickly as doable. Expensive fellow Ukrainians, maintain on! Our energy is unity! We're with you!" the assertion mentioned.

Newsweek reached out to the Utah Jazz for additional remark however didn't hear again earlier than publication.