Macy Gray, introduced as the “acclaimed singer, songwriter and Grammy Award winner from Canton, Ohio,” performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
via: People
The R&B singer, 54, kicked things off in Cleveland on Sunday with her take on “The Star Spangled-Banner,” which featured her signature soulful rasp.
As the “I Try” singer made her way through the tune in a houndstooth dress and long navy coat, the camera panned to the All-Star athletes waiting to take the court, including James, 37.
The Lakers star was caught on video smiling to himself as Gray sang, and at one point was seen biting his lip as if to stifle a laugh.
LeBron trying to stop himself from laughing ? pic.twitter.com/9OjVSXTNDY
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) February 21, 2022
Bill Murray watching Macy Gray sing National anthem ?#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/iEQ7swBEh9
— Koro (@smokinlifeboats) February 21, 2022
Next to him, Steph Curry — who was famously seen trying not to smile when Fergie sang the national anthem in 2018 — was a bit more stoic, and was seen looking up during the performance.
Also in attendance was a stone-faced Bill Murray, 71, who was filmed staring straight ahead at the Grammy-winning Gray with an indistinguishable, if slightly confused, look on his face.
“When I tell you I came RUNNING to Twitter after that Macy gray National anthem ????,” one Twitter user wrote.
https://twitter.com/TamaraLynn54/status/1495569867130511365?s=20&t=CM1g7W60tPw_9C3D2NGPRg
Gray’s buzzed-about performance comes four years after Fergie gave her famously jazzy rendition of the national anthem at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, sparking a flood of reactions and memes.
Team LeBron, captained by James, came out victorious on Sunday, beating Kevin Durant’s Team Durant 163-160. Curry, 33, walked away with the 2022 Kobe Bryan NBA All-Star Game MVP award after he broke Paul George’s record for most 3-pointers in a single All-Star Game.
See Macy Gray’s performance of the national anthem below.
