ESPN analyst Doris Burke has come under fire following a controversial comment made during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
During the third quarter of the tightly contested matchup—which ended in a 128–126 win for Oklahoma City—Burke made a remark referencing historical tensions between France and Germany. The comment came after French center Rudy Gobert delivered a forceful dunk over German-born Isaiah Hartenstein.
“I don’t know much about history, but I know the French and Germans don’t like one another,” Burke said on-air. “And Rudy says, ‘Bonjour, Mr. Hartenstein. Have a little bit of that left-handed dunk.'”
The attempt at humor quickly sparked criticism on social media, where viewers expressed concern over the insensitivity of invoking World War II-era animosities in the context of a professional basketball game. Critics noted that such references are not only outdated but also inappropriate in a diverse and international sports environment.
Adding to the controversy, some observers pointed out the complexities of Hartenstein’s background. Born in Oregon and raised partly in Germany, Hartenstein is of mixed heritage, with an African-American father who also played professional basketball. Some fans suggested that these aspects made the comment even more tone-deaf.
As of Tuesday evening, ESPN has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Burke, a veteran broadcaster known for breaking barriers in NBA coverage, has yet to respond publicly to the backlash.
While some viewers defended Burke, describing the comment as an offhand attempt at banter, others argued that the moment underscores a broader need for cultural sensitivity and awareness in sports commentary.
Gobert has not commented on the matter.
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