In the midst of Clippers-Warriors Game 4 lied an issue far more poignant than a basketball rivalry.

Clippers owner Donald Sterling's racist rant was caught on tape, shaking up the players in and out of the organization, and the nation as a whole. 

In a recorded private conversation with girlfriend V. Stiviano, Sterling revealed his bigotry. He asked that she not bring black people to his games, Magic Johnson in particular, whom she posed with in an Instagram picture that "bothered [him] a lot." The owner of the Clippers since 1981 has been an alleged racist for years, but the disturbing audio clip broadcasts just how deep it runs. 

Magic Johnson will no longer attend his games calling Sterling's comments, "a black eye for the NBA." ESPN sports analyst, Jalen Rose, described Sterling's attitude about owning a basketball team similar to that of a plantation owner who rewards his "field workers [by] allowing [them] to live in the house."

Most significantly, the nation outwardly decried their disapprobation for Sterling via social media and is expressing their outrage. Twitter hashtag, #sterlingmustgo, has been trending for 48 hours and counting. At Oracle Arena, a couple of Golden State fans hopped on the Sterling-bashing bandwagon with a couple of humorous signs in tow. 

Before the game, the visiting team stripped their Clippers jackets, dropping them on the court to reveal plain red logo-less shirts underneath. They also wore black arm bands and black socks in order to unite in a silent protest. Lots of questions could be raised on how to best make a statement against racism, but the players chose an understated way of declaring their divergence from Sterling.

Should the players have done more? Some felt as though they should have. Lisa Leslie, ex-WNBA MVP, hoped for a stronger movement, namely, for the Clippers to sit out Game 4 and refuse to play until NBA Commissioner Adam Silver returned with significant disciplinary action for Sterling. 

There is no room for hate in this world. It is appalling, that in 2014, men like this still exist, especially in an organization as influential and lucrative as the NBA. The action Commissioner Sliver takes will need to be a paramount one to signify zero tolerance for such attitudes. Many would hope that Sterling step down or be forced out. Unfortunately, under the NBA by-laws, his team cannot be taken away from him. If any loopholes do exist, I expect Silver to use every measure appropriate to banish this man from any and all future involvement with the NBA. They may not be able to change him or his way of thinking, but they can hit him in the pocket where it hurts. 

In a game where the lines of race appeared to have been blurred for decades, this is a sad time for our society and a step back from everything this country has achieved since MLK.

An issue of this magnitude spanning of a such a large national scale that President Obama shared his own impression, what fans do in Game 5 will be telling as to the prominence of the fight against racial intolerance and hate. A true boycott of the game by fans would be a powerful statement. However, some say the lack of a home crowd is a double-edged sword and would be a detriment to the players who should not be punished for a season they have worked so hard to accomplish. But what is really important here? This is bigger than basketball. 

My answer? In one united front, everyone should boycott Tuesday night's game. No players, no coaches, no fans, and no game. Period. 

You can reach Mary Grace Montemayor here. Follow her on Twitter here.