LeBron James promises to continue fight against racism as NBA season restarts

Black Lives Matter movement takes centre stage on league's return

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, second from left, wears a Black Lives Matter shirt and kneels with teammates during the national anthem prior to an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. AP

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers wear Black Lives Matter shirts and kneel during the national anthem before the NBA season started. AP

JR Smith of the Los Angeles Lakers looks at The Arena in Lake Buena Vista. USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso saves the ball after making a steal against the Los Angeles Clippers. EPA

Kyle Kuzma of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Amir Coffey of the LA Clippers. AFP

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, right, with a teammate prior to an NBA game against the Los Angeles Clippers. AP

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James takes to the court in Lake Buena Vista. AP

Photos of fans are seen on screens during the second half of an NBA game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz. USA TODAY Sports

Players and coaches from both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers lock arms and take a knee during the national anthem in Florida. EPA

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday high-fives a teammate during player introductions before facing the Utah Jazz. AP

LeBron James promised to continue fighting for social justice as the NBA's coronavirus-hit season made an emotional return in Orlando on Thursday.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar James and players from the Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans all kneeled in unison during the US national anthem before their respective games in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

James, who scored the winning points for the Lakers in a 103-101 defeat of the Clippers, said players were determined to use their NBA platform to fight racism.

"This is an opportunity to use this platform to spread a lot of positives, a lot of love throughout the course of the whole world," James said.

"We understand what's going on in society right now and we're using this NBA platform as players as coaches and as an organisation to stand strong on that. This is a good start.

"There's been progress. But in the past when there's been progress, we've let our foot off the gas a little bit. We can't do that. We want to continue to put our foot on the gas, push forward and spread love throughout America."

The United States saw nationwide protests in June following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. Four police officers were later charged over his death.

"We're dealing with a lot of racism, a lot of social injustice and police brutality," James said. "It's something that we want to have people's ears open to. We have ears open now, but we cannot stop.

"We'll keep our foot on the gas as we've been doing over the past two months."