Earlier this week, the NBA announced that Metallica’s James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday. Before Friday’s Game 4, Ne-Yo and Walk Off the Earth will perform the U.S. and Canadian national anthems, respectively.
Canadian country artist Tenille Arts will perform “O Canada” ahead of Wednesday’s game in honor of the Toronto Raptors, who are tied 1-1 with the Golden State Warriors in the best-of-seven series.
Earlier this year, Metallica’s Hetfield and Hammett stepped onto the field at San Francisco’s Oracle Park for a guitar-heavy instrumental version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” while drummer Lars Ulrich threw out the first pitch at a sold-out Giants-vs.Yankees game. Metallica previously performed the national anthem during Game 5 of the Warriors’ 2015 championship run.
Both games will air live from Oakland, California’s Oracle Arena starting at 9 p.m. ET on ABC in America and Sportsnet in Canada.
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