Who sang the national anthem at NBA Finals Game 4 tonight?

Laurana Strachan, a native of South Florida, sang the United States national anthem in Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Friday as the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat face off at the Kaseya Center in South Beach.

Strachan gained praise for her rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner to start Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals.

One fan said:

"This beautiful black women NAILED it. The NA. Lady Laurana Strachan. And let's hope that the Nuggy’s jinxed themselves tonight by slapping hands before the anthem was over."

It was not Strachan's first time singing the national anthem before a Miami Heat game. She also sang Star-Spangled Banner before Game 5 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals between the Heat and Boston Celtics.

A fan also praised her performance last year:

"Laurana Strachan performed a stunning rendition of the National Anthem before Game 5 of Boston vs Miami."

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Why was Laurana Strachan in the news in 2018?

Laurana Strachan performing the national anthem in Game 4 of the NBA Finals (Photo: David Titchenal/Twitter)

Laurena Strachan made headlines in 2018 when she wasn't paid for a performance at an event by a city commissioner. Strachan told WSVN Miami that she has been singing since she was a child, and it's something she enjoys doing for a living.

"I've been singing since I was 5 years old, a very long time," Strachan said. "It's something I enjoy doing. It's my life. It's definitely who I am."

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Why is the national anthem played before the NBA Finals?

Kahara Hodges performs the national anthem before Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

It has always been a tradition before sporting events in the United States that the national anthem is sung, but what is the reasoning behind it?

According to NBC Miami, the Star-Spangled Banner is seen as an introduction to the event that will take place. It's also a way to honor the country and the people who shaped the United States.

It was first used in a sporting event in 1918 during the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. It has become a tradition since then, but it wasn't until 1931 that the United States declared it as its national anthem.

The Star-Spangled Banner was mostly known as a wartime anthem during the 1800s. There are other songs used to honor the country like America the Beautiful, Hail, Columbia and My Country, Tis of Thee.