Brooklyn hosts one of the best Black History Month celebrations of 2026
It was Black History Night at the Barclays Center earlier this month as the Nets took on the Chicago Bulls! Photos: Christian Spencer
By Christian Spencer
sports@queensledger.com
The Brooklyn Nets are one of the few NBA teams this year to host a Black History Month game, showing how the franchise’s identity is deeply rooted in its Black heritage.
On February 9, the team celebrated that identity with a 123–115 win over the Chicago Bulls, in-arena performances, and a special appearance by Nets legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving.
The evening was not just a game, but a veritable indicator of Brooklyn’s influence on Black culture, basketball, and community.
Fans watched a tight contest that swung both ways before the Nets closed it out with crisp late-game execution and balanced scoring down the stretch.
Beyond the scoreboard, the game highlighted Black generations and community traditions that have shaped Brooklyn’s identity.
African dancers opened the night with bright colors and pounding drums that energized the arena and set a vibrant tone.
A cookout-style dance-off followed, as Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, and Gen Z playfully competed over which generation produced the best music and moves during a pregame “Black Family Reunion” activation staged with Brooklyn-based platform The Lay Out.
The Nets hosted a pregame fireside chat on Black health and wellness, where artist and entrepreneur Styles P spoke with local community groups about mental, physical, and emotional healing.
KBT Temple and Praise performed Lift Every Voice & Sing and the National Anthem before tipoff, and the Brooklynettes and Team Hype honored Black social dance at halftime alongside the New York Liberty’s Timeless Torches, bridging generations.
The programming was a copious investment in Blackness that extended beyond the court.
Before the halftime show, fans were welcomed by NBA legend Julius Erving, popularly known as Dr. J.
Though his appearance was brief and silent, the arena erupted in cheers as the iconic player watched his hometown team secure a meaningful win during Black History Month.
Dr. J’s presence was especially fitting: he won championships in both the ABA and NBA and inspired generations of players, including Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Vince Carter.
His Nets jersey — No. 32 — hangs in the rafters.
Julius Erving was honored during the game. His Nets jersey sits in the rafters at the Barclays Center.
Other NBA teams also hosted Black History Month-themed games.
The Boston Celtics celebrated with the NBA Pioneers Classic against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 1, honoring the league’s first Black players, according to The Boston Herald.
The Bucks followed with their Black Excellence Game versus the Bulls on February 3, according to TMJ4, NBC Milwaukee, while the San Antonio Spurs marked Black Heritage Night against the Dallas Mavericks on February 7 with in-game spotlights and community programming, according to The Associated Press.
The Atlanta Hawks’ Black History Month game versus the Washington Wizards is scheduled for February 26.
Even so, the Nets’ February 9 game offered one of the most performative celebrations, reflecting a season-long commitment to honoring Black culture.
As Brooklyn Downtown Star previously reported, the Nets’ embrace of hip-hop culture separates them from most franchises.
The team collaborates with the Notorious B.I.G. estate, with the Brooklyn Camo City Edition uniforms — first introduced in 2018–19 and revived for the 2025–26 season — paying tribute to the late rapper and his Bedford-Stuyvesant roots.
The arena reflects Brooklyn’s hip-hop legacy, from Biggie-themed nights and halftime programming to the influence of Jay-Z, who advocated for the team’s return to Brooklyn.
