Harlem Globetrotters vs Washington Generals • February 9, 2026 • Delta Center
Story and Photos by Kevin Rolfe
The Harlem Globetrotters brought a century of style, swagger, and showmanship to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, celebrating their 100th anniversary with a night that felt equal parts basketball game and full-scale entertainment spectacle. From the moment the team sprinted onto the court to the familiar whistle of “Sweet Georgia Brown,” the energy inside the arena shifted into something electric. This wasn’t just another stop on a tour — it was a tribute to a hundred years of creativity, athleticism, and joy.
I remember the Harlem Globetrotters being a big part of my childhood. I remember watching them on “Wild World of Sports”, Gilligan’s Island, and my favorite appearance, Scooby Doo. When I was a teenager, I even had the opportunity to work on one of their games. I was working for the company that built a court in the quad of Crenshaw High School in South Central L.A. I got to meet the guys and sit along the baseline during the game. It was a memorable experience getting to see all of their antics up close. All these years later, I was excited to be inside the Delta Center to take photos and catching their game once again, up close.
Facing their longtime foil, the Washington Generals, the Globetrotters delivered exactly what fans came for. Dazzling trick shots, jaw-dropping dunks, and perfectly timed comedy. The Generals played their role to perfection. Keeping the action competitive enough to feel real while setting up the kind of playful chaos that has defined this rivalry for decades. Every near-comeback and exaggerated referee disagreement added to the fun, drawing laughter from kids and knowing smiles from longtime fans.
But beyond the comedy, the basketball talent on display was undeniable. No-look passes zipped across the hardwood with pinpoint accuracy. Players launched half-court shots that seemed to hang in the air forever before dropping cleanly through the net. Alley-oop sequences unfolded with ballet-like timing, and the athleticism behind the rim brought the crowd to its feet more than once. Even during the most comedic stretches, the skill level never dipped. It was a reminder that the Globetrotters’ legacy is built not only on entertainment but on genuine basketball excellence.
The 100th anniversary theme added an extra layer of celebration to the night. Video highlights and on-court tributes honored the generations of players who have worn the red, white, and blue. The Globetrotters have traveled the globe. They have served as ambassadors of goodwill and inspired countless young athletes, and that sense of history was woven throughout the performance. In Salt Lake City, multiple generations sat side by side. Grandparents who remembered the team from decades past, parents reliving childhood memories, and children experiencing the magic for the first time.
Audience interaction, a Globetrotter hallmark, remained front and center. Fans were brought onto the court. Jokes were shared across the baseline, and spontaneous moments turned strangers into part of the show. The players’ charisma made the large arena feel intimate, bridging the gap between performer and spectator in a way few sporting events manage to achieve. Even when I knew what gag was coming or jokes were going to be told, I found myself laughing out loud often. This current iteration of the Globetrotters found fun ways to keep these time-honored traditions fresh.
By the final buzzer — and of course, a predictable but still satisfying outcome against the Generals — the Delta Center crowd left smiling. The Harlem Globetrotters proved that after 100 years, their formula still works: elite basketball fundamentals wrapped in humor, heart, and boundless personality. It was more than a game. It was a celebration of a century spent turning sport into spectacle and reminding audiences that sometimes, the best competition is the one that brings everyone together in laughter.
