NBA star Kyrie Irving wears keffiyeh to show solidarity with Palestine

By Can Erozden

NBA star Kyrie Irving attended a Saturday post-match press conference wearing a keffiyeh to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where Israeli attacks since Oct. 7 have killed 13,000 people besides leaving a vast trail of destruction.

In the press conference, Dallas Mavericks' Australian-American guard Irving wore the headdress, which is considered a symbol of Palestinian resistance.

Visitors Dallas Mavericks lost against the Milwaukee Bucks 132-125 at Fiserv Forum. Irving scored 39 points.

An eight-time NBA All-Star, Irving, 31, is one of the important players in the league, and won the 2016 NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He has 12 years of NBA experience, previously playing for the Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets before his move to the Mavericks earlier 2023.

NBA and Irving's current team Mavericks had earlier confirmed their support Israel after last month's attack on the country by Hamas.

"The NBA and NBPA mourn the horrific loss of life in Israel and condemn these acts of terrorism. We stand with the people of Israel and pray for peace for the entire region," the American basketball league said on Oct. 9.

A day before the NBA statement, Mavericks said it also supported Israel.