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NEW YORK – The Brooklyn Nets paid tribute to the victims of the Hanukkah massacre in Sydney in a Hanukkah celebration at the Barclays Center during the team’s game against the Miami Heat on Thursday night.
Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said the team’s thoughts and prayers were with the Jewish community.
“Yeah, I mean all our thoughts and prayers (are) with the community and it was a sad day. You’ll never see it, it doesn’t matter faith, religion,” Fernandez told reporters during his post-match press conference.
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Head coach Jordi Fernandez of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half against the Miami Heat at 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 killed in the Sydney massacre last week. The ceremony was facilitated by the Chabad Teen Network, the world’s largest teen organization.
Pakinomist Digital spoke with Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Chabad’s 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 AUSTRALIA HANUKKAH ATTACK VICTIMS, LIGHT MENORAH DURING GAME
A menorah made of basketball overlooks the Barclays Center before the Brooklyn Nets took on the Miami Heat in Brooklyn, New York on December 18, 2025. (Ryan Canfield/Pakinomist)
“I think it’s really, really incredible to see America in all its glory, standing up for what we believe in. And we’re celebrating our ideals and our traditions and our holidays, and it’s supported by the Nets, who are an incredible franchise,” Kotlarsky said.
“Being able to recognize and give a voice to a lot of teenagers who might not be in a Jewish school or might not be in a Jewish (ChaBad) to celebrate their heritage proudly is one of the things that makes America great. One of the things that makes sports, the tool and the vessel that it is, to cross the aisles 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 inspire the youth and show them they can follow their dreams without compromising their values.
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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. (Photo by Heather Khalifa/AP)
Wolf played over 12 minutes in the team’s 106-95 loss to the Heat, scoring eight points while grabbing two rebounds.
“People see that no matter where you come from and no matter where your humble beginnings are, you can still be proud of who you are and reach the top and you’re celebrated for who (you are). I think the key message, about the whole holiday, is one that we celebrate with pride, that light has infinitely more power than darkness, and that you can have them say, and that you can say, you like the basketball team. do it,” Kotlarsky said.
“You can celebrate who you are.”
