A mixture of boos and cheers could be heard throughout Vanessa Williams' performance of the Star-Spangled Banner in London on Sunday.

In September 2025, the NBA and UK government committed to a joint £10m investment into grassroots development of basketball and, before Sunday's O2 game between Memphis and Orlando, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan also announced a further investment of almost £2m into grassroots and coaching development across London.

Actress Vanessa Williams was performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” to respectful silence ahead of the clash between the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic at London’s O2 Arena when the heckler — who sounded American — loudly shouted his protest.

The actress, 46, made a rare public appearance with her son, Atom, as they attended an NBA game in London on Sunday, Jan. 18. Pike sat with her 11-year-old, watching the Memphis Grizzlies go up against the Orlando Magic at the O2. (The Tennessee-based team ended up winning 126-109.)

British NBA fans attending the match inside the O2 Arena spoke out against Donald Trump and the killing of Renee Good.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Orlando Magic comes to the UK - NBA basketball returns to the UK for the first time in seven years as the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Orlando Magic at The O2 Arena in London

The unidentified heckler interrupted Williams, 62, as she was singing "The Star Spangled Banner" before tipoff between the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic at the O2 Arena in London. The heckler shouted, "Leave Greenland alone!" about midway through the song.

Wendell Carter Jr had an unexpected exchange after the NBA London Game involving Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. The Orlando Magic forward was speaking to reporters following his team’s defeat at The O2 Arena when the moment occurred.

Midway through the song, a heckler shouted, “Leave Greenland alone!” The outburst prompted scattered laughter and cheers from spectators. The crowd included a host of soccer stars and celebrities. Williams did not react and finished the anthem without pause.

A heckler shouted, ‘Leave Greenland alone!’ during the US national anthem at an NBA game in London yesterday. Actor Vanessa Williams was midway through her rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner at the O2 Arena when she was interrupted.