Overview
- The Athletic reported the reigning NBA champions passed on a potential ceremony aligned with Saturday’s road game against the Washington Wizards in Washington, D.C.
- A team spokesman said they had been in contact with the White House and appreciated the communication, but “the timing simply didn’t work.”
- The event would have been the traditional championship recognition hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House.
- Coverage notes that visits by title-winning teams have been politically charged since Trump’s first term.
- The U.S. women’s ice hockey team recently declined a White House visit citing scheduling after criticism of a Trump remark, while the men’s team visited and later attended the State of the Union.