Mickey Guyton Electrifies NBA Finals with Stunning National Anthem
Country star Mickey Guyton performed the national anthem at the 2026 NBA Finals game between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks. The Texas native, known for her powerful vocals, delivered a memorable rendition inspired by a childhood experience watching LeAnn Rimes. Guyton also recently released her album "House on Fire" and performed at the Gracies Awards Gala.
Texas native and four-time Grammy nominee Mickey Guyton delivered a powerful rendition of the U.S. national anthem at game five of the 2026 NBA Finals on Saturday, June 13. Wearing a San Antonio Spurs jersey in their hometown, Guyton performed for the crowd as the Spurs faced off against the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center. Her performance, characterized by her natural twang and a triumphant high note on the word “free,” added a memorable moment to the highly anticipated game.
Guyton is no stranger to performing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” having notably sung it at the Super Bowl a few years prior. Her deep personal connection to the national anthem dates back to her childhood. She was inspired to pursue a music career after witnessing a mesmerizing performance by a then 10-year-old LeAnn Rimes singing the national anthem at a Texas Rangers game. Guyton, who was around 8 or 9 at the time, recalled this pivotal moment to Billboard in a 2015 interview, expressing her awe at Rimes' mature vocal delivery and her own desire to achieve similar musical prowess.
Beyond her iconic anthem performances, Mickey Guyton has continued to build a successful career in country music. Her latest release is her sophomore full-length studio album, 2024’s “House on Fire,” which featured the single “Nothing Compares to You” with Kane Brown. She recently appeared at the 51st annual Gracies Awards Gala, presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF), held in May at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. The event honored actress Andie MacDowell and was hosted by Yvette Nicole Brown. Fans can watch Guyton’s full national anthem performance from the Spurs vs. Knicks game via Billboard VIP Pass.