The essentials
Philadelphia fans booed the 76ers before halftime as Cleveland's lead reached 29, while Nick Nurse called Trump's criticism outside noise.
Fans in Philadelphia booed the 76ers before halftime during a home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the Cavaliers' lead reached 29 points. The reporting does not specify the reason for the boos.
Earlier, at Madison Square Garden, LeBron James appeared to mime a golf swing and shooting motion during the national anthem while most of his teammates stood still. James's reply to Trump's criticism did not directly address those movements.
76ers coach Nick Nurse described Trump's criticism as “outside noise.” The reporting does not indicate whether the team has commented on the crowd's reaction.
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Home Crowd Reacts Negatively as Cleveland Extends Its Lead
From the arena, the most visible reaction came from Philadelphia's home crowd, which booed the 76ers before halftime as Cleveland's advantage grew to 29 points. The boos came in the same period that the team's anthem conduct drew national attention, though the reporting does not establish a link between the two. For those in the building, the focus shifted from the pregame debate to the scoreboard.
Nick Nurse Dismisses Trump's Criticism as 'Outside Noise'
Coach Nick Nurse's response directed attention toward the team's competition rather than public commentary. By describing President Donald Trump's criticism as outside noise, Nurse indicated that the 76ers' focus remains on basketball. That stance contrasts with the crowd's reaction inside the arena, where fans voiced disapproval as Cleveland held a large lead.