After Charlottesville violence, WNBA teams unite during National Anthem

Washington, DC -- As the Washington Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks prepared for tip-off, all players, coaches, and fans in the Capitol One Arena took a moment of silence while wearing white T-shirts to pay tribute to those who died in a rally gathered by white nationalists in Charlottesville.

Usually, one team faces the other as they stand before the national anthem, but Mystics guard, Kristi Toliver got all players to link arms in unison as they paid tribute to local resident Heather Heyer, as well as two Va. state police officers, Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Berke M.M. Bates.

WNBA President Lisa Border released this statement:

“We fully support our players, who are offering a demonstration of unity that we hope America can emulate in the wake of the tragic events in Charlottesville. We offer our sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones and our support to those who were injured during the inexcusable violence that transpired.”