Mike Conley Gives Pregame Speech Regarding MLK Day Before Pacers/Jazz Game

Jan 20, 2020, 7:11 PM | Updated: 7:18 pm

Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz warms up beofre a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

BY KYLE IRELAND, KSL SPORTS

Sports Producer

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley gave a pregame speech about Martin Luther King Jr. Day before the team’s matchup with the Indiana Pacers.

Conely and the Jazz hosted the Indiana Pacers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Monday, January 20.

The veteran guard spoke to the crowd in Salt Lake City before the Jazz tipped off against the Pacers.

“Special day for all of us and we are truly honored to be playing in front of you guys on this special day. Let’s keep fighting the good fight,” Conley told the crowd before the game.

"Special day for all of us and we are truly honored to be playing in front of you guys on this special day. Let's keep fighting the good fight."#MLKDay | @MConley10 pic.twitter.com/ZH1B7v4wqp

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 21, 2020

Earlier in January, Conley and the Jazz participated in a screening of Just Mercy. The film tells the story of an African-American man that was wrongfully imprisoned and sentenced to death in for the 1986 murder of a white woman in Alabama.

The Jazz guard spoke at the screening.

“We all have the same goals… and want to see a better state, a better world, a better Utah,” said Conley.

After the screening, the Jazz organization donated money to the Represent Justice and Rocky Mountain Innocence Center organizations.

We presented Represent Justice and the Rocky Mountain Innocence Center with contributions toward the important work they do both locally and nationally ❤️ pic.twitter.com/H6kzlK0RIl

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 10, 2020

Conely is a veteran NBA guard who is in his first season with the Utah Jazz. He was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2007 NBA Draft. Memphis traded Conely to Utah during the summer of 2019.

During his time in the NBA, Conley has received the NBA Sportsmanship Award three times. He was honored with the NBA Teammate of the Year Award in 2019.

.@utahjazz players join @NBA in celebration of #MLKDay by wearing special Martin Luther King Jr. shooting shirts #INDatUTA pic.twitter.com/LxCvhlR3h3

— Utah Jazz Doing Good (@JazzDoingGood) January 20, 2020

Indiana vs. Utah is one of 14 NBA games that took place on MLK Day.

Quin Snyder discusses the honor of being able to represent the @UtahJazz and the @NBA on #MartinLutherKingDay. pic.twitter.com/i0qJibyNgf

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 21, 2020

Jazzman Donovan Mitchell wore a special colorway of his signature Adidas shoe in honor of MLK Day.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."#MLKDay pic.twitter.com/QYGswRKVaS

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 20, 2020

The Pacers and Jazz game is broadcast on NBA League Pass, AT&T SportsNet, and 97.5 FM.