Metallica to perform US national anthem at Game 3 of the NBA finals

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Metallica will appear on the court of the Oracle Arena tonight as basketball’s Golden State Warriors take on the Toronto Raptors in Game 3 of the NBA finals

(Image credit: Herring & Herring)

Metallica have confirmed they’ll play the US national anthem at tonight’s NBA finals game at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.

It’s Game 3 of the basketball finals between the hometown Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors, with the best of seven series poised at one game each.

Metallica say: “We love to support our local teams, so we’re very excited to be a part of our hometown Golden State Warriors’ pursuit of their fourth NBA championship in five years! 

“Look for James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett to hit the hardwood and kick off Game 3, June 5, with their rendition of the US national anthem and award-winning country artist Tenille Arts performing the Canadian national anthem.”

The band add: “Congratulations to the Warriors for competing in the NBA Finals five seasons in a row! We are honoured and proud to be on hand during this year’s quest. Go Dubs!”

While the Warriors have enjoyed huge success over the last few years, this is the Raptors first appearance in the NBA finals in the franchise’s 23-year history.

Following tonight’s appearance in Oakland, Metallica will head back across the Atlantic for their run of European summer shows, which will get under way at Dublin’s Slane Castle on Saturday (June 8).

Metallica WorldWired UK and European stadium tour
Jun 08: Dublin Slane Castle, Ireland
Jun 11: Amsterdam Johan Cruijff Arena, Netherlands
Jun 13: Cologne RheinEnergieStadion, Germany
Jun 16: Brussels Koning Boudewijnstadion, Belgium
Jun 18: Manchester Etihad Stadium, UK
Jun 20: London Twickenham Stadium, UK
Jul 06: Berlin Olympiastadion, Germany
Jul 09: Gothenburg Ullevi, Sweden
Jul 11: Copenhagen Telia Parken, Denmark
Jul 13: Trondheim Granåsen, Norway
Jul 16: Hameenlinna Kantolan Tapahtumapuisto, Finland
Jul 18: Tartu, Raadi Airport, Estonia
Jul 21: Moscow Luzhniki Stadium, Russia
Aug 14: Bucharestv Arena Națională, Romania
Aug 16: Vienna Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Austria
Aug 18: Prague Airport Letnany, Czech Republic
Aug 21: Warsaw PGE Narodowy, Poland
Aug 23: Munich Olympiastadion, Germany
Aug 25: Mannheim Maimarktgelande, Germany

Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.