Back to the NBA Newsfeed

'I believe in us': On MLK Day, NBA players reflect on social justice and what comes next

Jrue Holiday was conflicted.

Then a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, he mulled for two weeks last summer whether to commit to the NBA's restart in Orlando, Florida. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Holiday's wife, Lauren, was five months pregnant and could sense his discomfort over leaving the family.

So she challenged him: Play, and donate the remainder of his 2019-20 salary to Black-owned businesses, non-profit organizations and initiatives.

"I felt like I kind of needed a reason to go back and play -- and my wife just said it.