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The Milwaukee Bucks did not take the floor before the start of Game 5 against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, an action they later stated was due to the police shooting of Jacob Blake, subsequent civilian shootings of protestors and the lack of legal response to those and other national occurrences of social injustice that preceded them.
“Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action,” Bucks guard Sterling Brown read from the players’ statement, “so our focus today cannot be on basketball.”
Full statement from the Milwaukee Bucks: pic.twitter.com/jjGEyVcCmB
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 26, 2020
The Bucks franchise issued a statement supporting the players’ course of action.
After the decision on that game, shortly thereafter reports circulated that the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder would also be protesting Game 5 of their series, which was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Then came official word from the NBA on Wednesday afternoon that all three games scheduled for Aug. 26 — Bucks vs. Magic, Rockets vs. Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers — were postponed. Each of those Game 5s will be rescheduled, per the NBA.
The NBA and the NBPA today announced that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to not take the floor today for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic, today’s three games – MIL-ORL, HOU-OKC and LAL-POR have been postponed. Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled.
— NBA (@NBA) August 26, 2020
Players across the league have been adamant that more needs to be done to effect social change after the recent police shooting of Blake in Kenosha, Wisc.
Here’s the latest news in this developing situation as well as reaction from some folks around the NBA:
NBA referees are assembling to begin marching around the campus in support of the players who took a stand last night. “We’re here because we feel like our group is a representation of America, or what America could be. … This is not right vs left, this is right vs wrong.” pic.twitter.com/2yU5FIeyDO
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) August 27, 2020
Please stand with us at 9 ET this morning as we march against racism and grieve for the black lives taken too soon. Join us as we unite in the bubble, and around the world, to fight injustice and police brutality. #EverybodyvsRacism@NBA @TheNBPA
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) August 27, 2020
The meeting is 11 AM — coinciding with the timing of the NBA's Board of Governors call, per sources. https://t.co/U8NnY4QMPb
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
The NBA referees plan to walk together at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort hotel as a form of peaceful protest against the killing of unarmed black men and women at the hands of police, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 27, 2020
Sources: Every team besides Lakers and Clippers voted to continue playing. LeBron James said in meeting he want owners to be more involved/take action.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2020
I’m moved by all the @NBA players for standing up for what is right. To my man @TheJetOnTNT I would like to say Thank you for what you did to show your support for the players. I am so proud of you. Keep getting in good trouble. @NBAonTNT @ESPNNBA @espn #NBAPlayoffs ✊🏿
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) August 26, 2020
"Having two boys of my own and me being an African-American in America and to see what continues to happen with police brutality towards my kind … it's very troubling." – @KingJames pic.twitter.com/haC4ubLdqg
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 27, 2020
I commend the players on the @Bucks for standing up for what they believe in, coaches like @DocRivers, and the @NBA and @WNBA for setting an example. It’s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values. pic.twitter.com/rUGETgAt7P
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 27, 2020
NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts on Player Protest and Postponement of Games pic.twitter.com/bjy6hpP9kU
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 27, 2020
.@TheJetOnTNT stands with the NBA players. pic.twitter.com/39Sby1D5kn
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 26, 2020
A statement from @Steven_Ballmer. pic.twitter.com/p8wGQHiY7y
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) August 27, 2020
Figured the times were appropriate for a quick story pic.twitter.com/WhMVdoQnBU
— Maurice Harkless (@moe_harkless) August 26, 2020
Yahoo Sources: There’s a sizable amount of players advocating to finish the season out since sacrifices were made to enter the bubble, believing the NBA platform is a useful resource in this social climate.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 26, 2020
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
Figured the times were appropriate for a quick story pic.twitter.com/WhMVdoQnBU
— Maurice Harkless (@moe_harkless) August 26, 2020
I was excited to see us play – and hopefully close out our series – tonight. But I stand behind our players, today and always. After more than 400 years of cruelty, racism and injustice, we all need to work together to say enough is enough. #JusticeForJacobBlake #WeHearYou
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) August 26, 2020
Emotions are raw, players were already worn out of bubble environment prior to the Jacob Blake shooting and sources say discussions within teams are ongoing about postponing tomorrow's three games too — and beyond. "The season is in jeopardy," one vet player here tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
Bucks have been in their locker room for nearly two hours. Bags have been packed and brought to the bus. An oversized white board was just wheeled in.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) August 26, 2020
Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams: “We weren’t given advanced notice about the decision but we are happy to stand in solidarity with Milwaukee, Jacob, and the entire NBA community. Change is coming.”
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) August 26, 2020
Every NBA player is invited to join the meeting in The Bubble at 8 PM to discuss how they'll proceed from today's boycotts, sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
NBA players have called for a meeting tonight in Orlando to determine next steps, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
Milwaukee Bucks SVP on players boycotting tonight's game over shooting of Jacob Blake: "Some things are bigger than basketball." https://t.co/YscbdSGnyK pic.twitter.com/XkHttAGRFR
— ABC News (@ABC) August 26, 2020
✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 @Bucks #JusticeForJacobBlake
— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) August 26, 2020
The NBA, owners and front offices didn't see this wave of player boycotts coming today. Hours ago, they all expected to be playing these games tonight. This is a pivot point for the NBA and professional sports in North America.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
We have the strongest, most unified league in the world!!! #change
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) August 26, 2020
WE DEMAND CHANGE! SALUTE @Bucks ✊🏾🙏🏾🗣
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 26, 2020
Game balls are being put away, as the Bucks decide to boycott game 5 against the Magic. pic.twitter.com/Cy32q2CJH7
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) August 26, 2020
The Bucks players made this decision in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin, ultimately deciding that they wouldn't leave the locker room for the start of Game 5 against Orlando. https://t.co/COJ6E0aJLj
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
