Tori Kelly performed the U.S. national anthem on Wednesday night before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals [1].
The performance served as the official kickoff for the championship series, setting the tone for the high-stakes matchup between two of the league's top teams.
Kelly, a singer-songwriter and actress, took the stage at the arena in San Antonio, Texas [2]. The venue hosted the opening game of the series, which featured a clash between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks [3].
Performing the national anthem is a long-standing tradition for the NBA Finals, intended to signal the start of the championship quest [4]. Kelly's appearance follows the league's standard practice of selecting high-profile musical artists to perform the Star-Spangled Banner for the first game of the series [2].
The event took place on June 3, 2026 [1]. The matchup between the Spurs and the Knicks marks a significant championship series for both franchises as they compete for the title [3].
“Tori Kelly performed the U.S. national anthem on Wednesday night before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals”
The selection of a contemporary pop artist like Tori Kelly for the national anthem reflects the NBA's ongoing strategy to blend professional sports with mainstream entertainment to maximize viewership and cultural reach during its flagship event.
