ORLANDO- For the second time in five months, the NBA season screeched to a halt.
In response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake, the Milwaukee Bucks never left the locker rooms ahead of their Game 5 matchup with the Orlando Magic. Once 3 p.m. hit and the Bucks were nowhere to be found, it became clear of Milwaukee’s intention to boycott the matchup.
Following suit, the NBA postponed all games for the rest of the day, Shams Charania reported on Twitter.
The NBA has postponed its playoff games today.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
Thunder guard and NBA Players Association President Chris Paul addressed the situation with Blake immediately after Oklahoma City’s Game 4 win against the Rockets.
“I just want to send my prayers out to Jacob Blake and their family,” Paul said.
“The things that you know we decided to come down here and play for and we said we’re going to speak on, the social injustice and the things that continue to happen, you know, to our people is not right,” he said.
https://twitter.com/ringernba/status/1298032383367630848
Over the last 24 hours, the idea of boycotting games has gained momentum inside the NBA bubble.
Toronto Raptors players Fred VanFleet and Norm Powell indicated boycotts were being considered within the Raptors dressing room yesterday when they spoke to the media.
Reports continued today that the Boston Celtics and Raptors were in communication to coordinate a boycott of the opening game of their second round matchup, scheduled to play tomorrow.
Yesterday the Detroit Lions cancelled practice, instead taking the time to speak to the media about the ongoing fight for social justice.
While displaying the messages “we won’t be silent” and “the world can’t go on” on whiteboards, members of the Lions took turns with a microphone speaking about the will to enact change in the world.
Bucks players are in locker room attempting to reach the attorney general of Wisconsin, Josh Kaul, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Magic players are leaving the arena soon — not accepting the Bucks‘ forfeit.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
The Milwaukee Bucks are the closest NBA franchise to Kenosha, WI, the site of the Blake shooting.
Billy Donovan’s pre-game media availability session was canceled upon the announcement of the boycott.
Adrian Wojnarowski said NBA players will hold a meeting this evening to discuss how to proceed.
Tonight's meeting with players will go a long way toward determining how the players will move forward with rest of season, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
The status of Thursday’s trio of playoff games is unclear at this time.
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