Filmmaker Spike Lee says he was not targeting the first Israeli NBA All-Star when he wore a pro-Palestinian outfit to the All-Star Game on Sunday.
Lee’s outfit featured a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and a bag strap with images of the Palestinian flag. Some of his critics charged that he had chosen the outfit especially because Deni Avdija, the Israeli star of the Portland Trail Blazers, was taking the court.
Lee sought to put that idea to rest in a post on Instagram late Tuesday, saying that, as a superfan of the East Coast New York Knicks, he wasn’t as familiar with West Coast teams like the Trail Blazers and didn’t know that Avdija was Israeli.
“There has been some conjecture about what I wore to the games on Saturday and Sunday. The clothes I wore are symbols of my concern for the Palestinian children and civilians, and my utmost belief in human dignity for all humankind,” Lee wrote. “What I wore was not intended as a gesture of hostility to Jewish people or to support violence against anyone, nor was it intended as a comment on the significance of Deni being an All-Star.”
About his lack of familiarity with Avdija, Lee added, “He can BALL. NOW I DO KNOW.”
Deni Avdija's All-Star Game performance
Avdija scored five points, including a dunk, and made four assists in his first NBA All-Star Game. While Avdija’s Team World ultimately fell short, his appearance generated excitement for Israelis, who view his success on the court as a source of national pride. Notably, Avdija’s jersey featured an Israeli flag on the back.
“I feel like when I come to play, I come with the entire nation, and it’s fun to show that it’s possible, even for a small country like us,” Avdija said during a postgame press conference.
Lebron James was asked by an Israeli reporter about Avdija’s performance and about Israel during his own postgame availability.
“I hope I inspire people over there not only to be great in sports, but to be better in general in life,” James said. “Hopefully, someday I could make it over there. Like I said, I’ve never been over there, but I’ve heard nothing but great things. I appreciate the question.”
Kyrie Irving also wore a pro-Palestinian All-Star Game outfit
NBA player Kyrie Irving wore a T-shirt to the All-Star Game that said “PRESS” on the front. The shirt, produced by Wear the Peace, reads inside: “Dedicated to our beloved journalists in Gaza showing the world the truth.” Irving had previously worn the shirt to another NBA game.
Irving, who was not playing in the All-Star Game, was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks in 2023, shortly after promoting an antisemitic film on his Twitter account and initially refusing to apologize for the tweet.