Dion Waiters was not on the court for the national anthem for the Cleveland Cavaliers' game on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz, which also was the first game of the season that he was not in the starting line-up.

Waiters informed Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group that he is a Muslim and that's the reason he excused himself prior to the national anthem.

"It's because of my religion," Waiters told NEOMG. "That's why I stayed in the locker room.

Waiters also told Haynes that he was rededicating himself to his Muslim faith.

Waiters returned to the court ahead of the national anthem on Friday at the Denver Nuggets.

Waiters responded on Saturday to some of the criticism about not being present for the national anthem on Twitter.

"Lol I wasn't going to even say anything about the situation but whoever made that up about me & the national anthem is a damn lie," wrote Waiters.

"I can't believe yall believe everything yall hear smh I guess ppl listen to anything now a days!!! I love everything about America!!!!!!!

"I'm not here to entertain nobody but come on now I'm always out there for the national anthem if they gone write BS make sure it's correct."