Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer in Wisconsin. Now paralyzed as a result of the shocking and viral moment, the country is once again witnessing racial injustices and police brutality done to the Black community. As a reminder, we are three months removed from the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Prominent voices around the United States continue speaking out about the issues at hand. With the Black Lives Matter movement at the forefront of the NBA restart in Orlando, Florida, superstars like LeBron James spoke loud and clear about how much these social injustices are weighing on the minds and hearts of NBA players quarantined inside "The Bubble." Just one day after the Detroit Lions canceled practice to protest what happened to Jacob Blake, the Milwaukee Bucks are making waves ahead of Game Five of Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs.
Leading the first round series 3-1 over the Orlando Magic, the Bucks remained in the locker room and did not take the court for pregame warmups. With less than four minutes until the game was supposed to begin, Magic players already on the floor also left the court and returned to the locker room. Shortly after, the game's officials headed back to the locker room as well.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Bucks are boycotting Game Five, citing the shooting of Jacob Blake.
It's immediately unclear if Milwaukee intends to play at all. In addition, it's not known if the NBA will force Milwaukee to forfeit the game, resulting in a loss.
Milwaukee Bucks Boycott Game 5 of NBA Playoffs
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
Milwaukee and NBA personnel are standing outside of Bucks‘ locker room -- where players have been adamant about sitting Game 5 in protest, sources tell me and @joevardon. https://t.co/3IxSnRnldr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
Top NBA executives are outside of the Milwaukee locker room, but haven't gone inside, per source.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2020
This article will be updated as more news becomes available.
UPDATE (4:41 p.m. EST): The Athletic's Shams Charnia tweeted that Bucks players remain in the locker room and are reaching out to Josh Kaul, the attorney general of Wisconsin. In addition, Magic players are intending on leaving the locker room and will not accept a Bucks forfeit.
Charnia also reported that members of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets are planning to boycott their game on Wednesday night.
Rockets-OKC players are planning to boycott Game 5 of their series, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
UPDATE (4:50 p.m. EST): The Thunder-Rockets game is reportedly being postponed in protest. In addition, multiple reports have surfaced that the evening game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers will likely be boycotted as well.
Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers are leaning toward boycotting Game 5 tonight, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 26, 2020
UPDATE (5:02 p.m. EST): The final game of the day between the Trail Blazers and Lakers has reportedly been boycotted as well, according to The Athletic.
How long this boycott will last is unknown, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver will have a huge decision to make after this historic day.
The Lakers and Trail Blazers are sitting Game 5 of series, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
All three NBA games will not be played as players sit in wake of Jacob Blake shooting.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
UPDATE (5:11 p.m. EST): The NBA officially announced that the three games on Wednesday will not be played. In addition, the league announced that all three games will be rescheduled.
A players-only meeting is reportedly in the works to discuss what they plan to do next.
NBA Games Postponed Until Further Notice
"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."
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
UPDATE (5:22 p.m. EST): Twitter was flooded with players, current and former, from the NFL, NBA and MLB in support of the trending movement.
Twitter Reacts to NBA Players Boycott
FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2020
Proud of our players! @Nba
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 26, 2020
FED UP. Ain’t enough money in world to keep overlooking true issues that effect the mind body & soul of what we do. We cannot be happy for self when our communities are suffering & innocent folk are dying.. since George Floyd, there have been at least 20 other police shootings. https://t.co/UmzuuWP7us
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) August 26, 2020
Josh Hader on Bucks boycott: "I think it's a tremendous stand. This is more about sports." Says can't say yes or no on #Brewers boycott. "I'm sure it's something we are going to discuss."
— Tom (@Haudricourt) August 26, 2020
NBA is showing us how it’s done. Time to connect with local activists to help formulate demands.
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) August 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/DickieV/status/1298733095651287045
✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
— Willy Hernangómez Geuer (@willyhg94) August 26, 2020
