Sadiq Khan booed at London NBA game
Sadiq Khan was met with boos when he appeared on the big screen during the London NBA game featuring the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic. The mayor of London was shown in a pre-recorded clip, which triggered a notable reaction from the crowd, reports BritPanorama.
The audible discontent was evident as fans booed throughout the arena. Khan did not return to his seat after waving to the crowd during halftime. One attendee remarked on social media, “No way did they just show Sadiq Khan at the NBA London game and he got booed.”
In addition to the jeers directed at Khan, supporters expressed their sentiments by chanting “leave Greenland alone” and also booed the US national anthem, signalling opposition to Donald Trump’s previous interest in acquiring Greenland. X-rated language was reported around the O2 Arena as the contest got underway.
This event marked the NBA’s first regular-season fixture in London since 2019, with the matchup at The O2 Arena continuing a tradition that has seen all ten of the league’s regular-season games in the UK held at this venue. The game between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies comes as part of the league’s international programme, which features upcoming fixtures in Manchester and Paris next year, followed by events in Berlin and Paris in 2028.
The encounter coincides with a growing interest in NBA events in Europe, with this being the 19th game involving an NBA team in the UK since 1993. Earlier in the week, the Magic triumphed over the Grizzlies in Berlin, with a nail-biting score of 118-111.
In that match, the Grizzlies established a 20-point lead before the Magic launched a remarkable comeback, leading to a captivating finale for the German audience, especially as a trio of German players delighted the crowd.
As the game shifted back to London, Memphis briefly regained the lead, culminating in an intense closing phase. With two and a half minutes remaining and the score tied at 107, Orlando’s Anthony Black executed a decisive dunk against multiple Grizzlies defenders, ultimately helping secure the victory.
Orlando’s squad appeared near full fitness, with Franz Wagner returning after an ankle sprain and Moe Wagner back from an ACL injury. However, Jalen Suggs remains sidelined with a knee issue.
As the Magic celebrate their first consecutive wins since early December, they now occupy the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, while Memphis continues to navigate significant injury challenges, sitting 10th in the Western Conference.
In the swirling atmosphere of the O2, where sports and politics intersect, the mixed reactions to Khan’s appearance highlight how public figures resonate—or falter—amid the fervour of sport. A reminder, perhaps, that even on this grand stage, opinions remain divided.
