NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
NEW YORK – The Brooklyn Nets paid tribute to the victims of the Sydney Hanukkah massacre at a Hanukkah celebration at the Barclays Center during the team’s game against the Miami Heat on Thursday night.
Nets head coach Jordi Fernández said the team’s thoughts and prayers were with the Jewish community.
“Yes, I want to say all our thoughts and prayers are with the community, and it was a sad day. You never want to see it, no matter beliefs or religion,” Fernandez told reporters during his postgame press conference.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Head coach Jordi Fernandez of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half against the Miami Heat at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on December 18, 2025. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“It was sad, it should never have happened and you don’t want to see that anywhere in the world. Anything we can do to show support we will.”
A giant basketball menorah was lit during the game by the 14-year-old nephew of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was murdered in the Sydney massacre last week. The ceremony was facilitated by Chabad Teen Network, the world’s largest teen organization.
Pak Gazette Digital spoke with Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Chabad World Headquarters, who said the Nets’ recognition of Hanukkah and celebration of Jewish heritage is one of the things that “makes America great.”
NETS HONOR VICTIMS OF HANUKKAH ATTACK IN AUSTRALIA, AND MENORAH LIGHT DURING THE GAME
A menorah made of basketballs dominates the Barclays Center before the Brooklyn Nets face the Miami Heat in Brooklyn, New York, on December 18, 2025. (Ryan Canfield/Pak Gazette)
“I think it’s really incredible to see America in all its glory, where it represents what we believe in. And we celebrate our ideals and our traditions, and our holidays, and it’s supported by the Nets, which is an incredible franchise,” Kotlarsky said.
“Being able to recognize and give a voice to many teenagers who may not be in a Jewish school or a Jewish (ChaBad), celebrating their heritage with pride is one of the things that makes America great. One of the things that makes sports, the tool and the vessel that it is, reach across the halls and empower young people to be proud of who they are.”
The Nets have two Jewish players on their team, Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf, and Kotlarsky said they are inspiring young people, showing them that they can follow their dreams without compromising their values.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Brooklyn Nets forward Danny Wolf (2) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New York on Dec. 14, 2025. (Heather Khalifa/AP Photo)
Wolf played over 12 minutes in the team’s 106-95 loss to the Heat, scoring eight points and grabbing two rebounds.
“People see that no matter where you come from and where your humble beginnings are, you can still be proud of who you are and rise to the top, and you’re celebrated for who (you are). I think the key message, over the whole holiday, is that we celebrate with pride, that light has infinitely more power than darkness and having them on the team to be able to say, ‘You’re passionate about basketball and you can do it,'” Kotlarsky said.
“You can celebrate who you are.”
