Monday night in the NBA was a major occasion for the league as it honored the legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. for MLK Day. As leaguewide celebrations took place, the home for one of the more questionable tributes was at the Los Angeles Clippers’ new home stadium, the Intuit Dome. All seemed well at the Intuit Dome until a slip of tongue from Norman Powell had the internet rolling.
Powell, at 31 years of age, has been one of the premier breakout stars in the league this season while helping the Clippers stay afloat in a tight Western Conference. Given his success with the team this season, the Clippers found it only fitting to allow their star to handle one of the tributes towards Dr King. However, things would take a drastic turn after Norman Powell accidentally misspoke Dr King’s name.
I want to thank everybody for coming out and celebrating the life of Martin Luther Cream.
Norman Powell said
Martin Luther who???? 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/sNdkihsKsy
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) January 21, 2025
While speaking on the PA mic at center court, Powell’s accidental slip of tongue caused many to question what he exactly said. To most, it sounded like he referred to Dr King as Martin Luther ‘Cream’, causing the video to quickly become a hot topic of discussion online.
However, Powell’s heart was certainly in the right place as his speech was meant to draw attention to a tribute to the iconic civil rights leader and to thank fans for coming out to watch the NBA on MLK Day.
Norman Powell is currently in his 10th season in the league and has been a front-runner to win the Most Improved Player of the Year award. In 35 games this season, Powell has averaged 23.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists, which is an almost 10ppg jump from his scoring output of 13.9 points last season.
Fans left in splits after hearing Norman Powell’s MLK slip-up
Although most of us may forgive Norman Powell for his slip of tongue, the internet is certainly less forgiving. As video clips of the incident emerged on the internet, fans couldn’t help but make fun of the situation. Fans on the internet had a field upon hearing Powell accidentally pronouncing ‘Cream’ instead of ‘King,’ although most joked about the situation with no intended malice.
NORMAN POWELL GOT ME IN TEARS BRUH
Celebrate the life of MARTIN LUTHER WHO????
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) January 21, 2025
“Martin Luther Cream” is diabolical 😭pic.twitter.com/dmFFSJPvjq
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) January 21, 2025
Everyone here in the arena started laughing it was so funny
— Lonzo Bull (@skinnysn1per) January 21, 2025
“Martin Luther Cream” 🙂↔️ pic.twitter.com/ey6GzvLYbD
— 🅿️ainSzn (@cjsweet567) January 21, 2025
Gooner Powell
— Russ’ TD ⚡ (@RussFcb) January 21, 2025
“I have a cream”
— Carcinogen🦠 (@Carcin0genesis) January 21, 2025
Although the clip of Powell stole the show at the end of the day, there was still a game to be played, although it may be understandable why Clippers fans focused on Powell more than the game itself. The Clippers lost 112-99 to the Chicago Bulls, with almost all active players on the Clippers delivering a forgettable performance, albeit in the absence of Kawhi Leonard.
The only remarkable encounter from the game was the performance of Norman Powell, who scored a team-high 27 points on a day when the Clippers failed to eclipse the three-figure mark on the offensive end. The Clippers will look to regroup as they prepare themselves to take on the reigning NBA Champs, Boston Celtics, after their 40-point drubbing of the Golden State Warriors.
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