Sacramento Kings vs. Denver Nuggets Game: Why Did Ukrainian Alex Len and Other Players Lock Arms?
In a powerful moment ahead of Thursday night's game, the players of the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets, including Ukrainian Alex Len, took a moment of silence and stood with their arms linked while standing in a circle at midcourt.
ESPN reported that the players locked arms in support of Len and his home country of Ukraine as war rages on in the Eastern Europe nation.
The NBA's two active Ukrainian players this season - Len and Toronto Raptors wing Svi Mykhailiuk - released a statement earlier Thursday condemning Russia's invasion of their country.
In a joint statement, they said they "categorically condemn the war" and hoped for an "end to this terrible war as soon as possible." The statement ended with a message to their fellow Ukrainians, "Hold on! Our strength is in unity! We are with you!"
Len, 28, told his Sacramento Kings team that his family in Ukraine is safe right now, and interim coach Alvin Gentry said, "That's the most important thing right now."
In his pregame press conference, Gentry asked everyone to keep Len and his family in their prayers. The Denver Nuggets went on to beat the Sacramento Kings, 128-110, on Thursday night.
Ukrainian Alex Len of Sacramento Kings
Alex Len, who was born in Antratsyt, Ukraine in 1993, has spent a season in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague. He was selected No. 5 overall in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.
Len is the all-time leader in points scored, rebounds, blocks, and assists among the nine NBA players from Ukraine. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, 24, is in his fourth season with the Raptors and contributes 15 minutes off the bench.
The two players issued the statement hours after the Associated Press reported that the 2022 Champions League Final would no longer be held in St. Petersburg, Russia due to Russia's attacks on Ukraine. The UEFA officially voted Friday to move it to Paris, France.
According to AP News, Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored global condemnation and new sanctions as he launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.
"We stand with Alex Len, our brother. We support him," said two-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis.
Sabonis is also concerned about his family in Lithuania, as the country goes into a state of emergency after Russia invades Ukraine.
Sacramento Kings Sabonis still delivered a stellar performance despite losing to Denver, pouring in his 38th double-double of the season and finishing with 33 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal.
READ NEXT: LeBron James' Children: Bronny James' Scouting Report, Future in the NBA as Heir to The King
NBA, WNBA, F1 Situations Amid Russia-Ukraine Crisis
The National Basketball Players Association tweeted on Thursday that their thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the recent events in Ukraine. The association specifically mentioned Ukrainian players Alex Len and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and their families.
In a statement sent to Sports Illustrated on Thursday, a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) spokesperson confirmed that its players playing overseas for Ukraine-based teams are not in the country now. The spokesperson noted that the WNBA has been in contact with their players who are in Russia.
F1 said that the racing league, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), and several F1 teams decided to cancel the Russian Grand Prix amid the ongoing attacks. The event was scheduled to take place in Sochi, Russia in September.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Jess Smith
WATCH: Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets Unite for Moment of Solidarity With Alex Len, Ukraine - From ESPN