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The Memphis Grizzlies, LeBron James and the rest of the basketball world react to the killing of Tyre Nichols

Protests and demonstrations have emerged across the country after the city of Memphis released body camera footage of five police officers severely beating 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, who died three days later.

More than 20 minutes passed before Nichols started receiving medical treatment after officers beat him and left him on the pavement, according to the Associated Press.

The officers, who were charged with second-degree murder on Thursday, have been relieved of duty. But that won’t bring Nichols back to life. Nor does it take away the sting of knowing that yet another unarmed Black man doing no one any harm has lost his life as a result of police brutality.

We’re still here as a society. This is the same pain everyone felt after police officers killed George Floyd in Minnesota. And when police officers in Louisville killed Breonna Taylor. And when Trayvon Martin was killed in Florida — and that happened more than a decade ago. It’s the same pain over and over again.

Tyre Nichols’ life mattered, as USA TODAY’s Mike Freeman writes. Nichols was a father. He was a son. He was a skateboarder. He was a regular person like the rest of us. He didn’t deserve this.

Everyone has had enough. The NBA world tried its best to put a voice to that.

The Grizzlies and Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Nichols before their game.

The NBA, NBPA and WNBA released statements too, though oddly, the NBA’s statement doesn’t mention what actually happened to Nichols.

Grizzlies’ head coach Taylor Jenkins actually had a lot to say about the situation.

“I wish I could extend my arms through this camera right now to the family. They’re going through a lot. I watched the interview with the family today and hearing Mrs. Wells talk with so much strength and positivity and love was powerful. It invoked a lot of emotions. I cried…My words will only mean so much. I want to continue to encourage people to put their arms around each other, put their arms around the Nichols family, the Wells family, to remember the life of Tyre Nichols, who I did not know…We’re here again, sadly. With the loss of life to police brutality is something that you can’t fathom. As the head coach of this team, trying to get everyone to understand the responsibilities that we have beyond basketball. This is a stark reminder of what position we’re in to unify our city.” 

Jenkins is absolutely right here. Words only matter so much. Our words won’t resuscitate Nichols — they’ll only provide little comfort in a fleeting moment. They won’t change anything.

Hopefully, the NBA, WNBA, its players, and advocates all put their money where their mouth is to try and create some meaningful change.

This piece expresses the views of its author(s), separate from those of this publication.

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