LeBron James Demands Justice for Breonna Taylor During Postgame Presser in Orlando

The Lakers star is among a growing number of NBA athletes who have steered their press conferences toward issues of racial injustice and police brutality.

July 24, 2020

lebron demands justice for breonna taylor

ORLANDO, FL - JULY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game on July 23, 2020 at the Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

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LeBron James returned to the court Thursday night when the Lakers took on the Dallas Mavericks in their first Orlando scrimmage. Following Los Angeles' 104-108 loss, James conducted a postgame press conference that primarily focused on his calls for social justice.

"First of all, I want to continue to shed light on justice for Breonna Taylor and to her family and everything that’s going on with that situation," James said, when asked about his team’s Thursday night loss.

Another journalist pointed out that James had written "#Justice4BreonnaT" on the sneakers he wore for the scrimmage; he then asked James what steps need to occur to ensure justice for Taylor—the 26-year-old Black woman who was killed by Kentucky police executing a no-knock warrant.

"We want the cops arrested who committed that crime," James responded. "… As one of the leaders of this league, I want [Taylor’s] family to know and the state of Kentucky to know … we want justice. And that’s what it’s all about. What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong. And this is a wrong situation that’s going on." James was later asked if he believes the country has made any progress in regards to social justice. He asserted we still have a long way to go.

"In 2016, Barack [Obama] was our President. We know what’s going on now. Is that progress? I think we can all sit here and say that’s not progress."

You can check out the full press conference below.

James is among the growing list of NBA players who have used their press conferences to demand justice for Taylor. He follows 76ers Tobias Harris, Lakers stars Kyle Kuzma and Alex Caruso, and Celtics guard Marcus Smart.