The Detroit Pistons honoured Aretha Franklin before their opening game of the basketball season by playing a recording of her singing the national anthem.
Former Pistons star Isiah Thomas spoke briefly, asking for a moment of silence for Franklin, who died in August.
For Aretha.
Tonight, we honored Aretha Franklin (with an assist from @IsiahThomas) with a moment of silence before playing the National Anthem she sang in the 2004 Finals. pic.twitter.com/r7EI4Nxsj4
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) October 18, 2018
After the moment of silence, and with no additional announcement, a recording of Franklin singing the anthem at the 2004 NBA Finals began playing while pictures scrolled on the scoreboard screen.
A microphone was left unattended at midcourt while the anthem played before the game with the Brooklyn Nets, won 103-100 by the Pistons.
Franklin, who died in August, began her music career as a gospel singer in a Detroit church.
