NBA players and coaches held an impromptu meeting at the Disney bubble to discuss plans following the postponement of three playoff games on Wednesday, including the Milwaukee Bucks-Orlando Magic game in which Milwaukee players staged a walk- out before the start of game 5 of the first round series. The Lakers and Clippers were among the minority of teams pushing to finish the season, according to Sham Charania of The Athletic. LeBron James said during the meeting that he wants the team owners to be more involved and take action.
The protest comes in response to the shooting of an unarmed black man named Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday. Shortly after the Bucks made a non-playing statement, the Rockets and Thunder also decided not to play today, as did the Lakers and Trail Blazers.
Bucks owners Marc Lasry, Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan have released the following joint statement:
“We fully support the players and the decision they made. Even if we didn’t know it in advance, we would have been in full agreement with them. The only way to bring about change is to shed light on the racial injustices that are happening in front of us. Our players have done it and we will continue to stand by them and ask for responsibility and change. “
News of the Bucks’ release had a ripple effect on sports in the United States. Here’s a look at all the games postponed in protest:
- NBA: Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Game 5 – first round)
- NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets (Game 5 – first round)
- NBA: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Game 5 – first round)
- WNBA: Washington Mystics vs Atlanta Dream
- WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks vs Minnesota Lynx
- WNBA: Connecticut Sun vs. Phoenix Mercury
- MLB: Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers
- MLB: Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres
- MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers versus San Francisco Giants
- MLS: Atlanta United vs Inter Miami
- MLS: FC Dallas versus Colorado Rapids
- MLS: Real Salt Lake versus Los Angeles FC
- MLS: San Jose Earthquakes v Portland Timbers
- MLS: Los Angeles Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders
Many NBA players and coaches have spoken with heavy hearts since Blake’s shooting, and early Wednesday the Toronto Raptors discussed skipping Game 1 of their second-round bout against the Boston Celtics.
Coaches like Doc Rivers have made emotional statements in response to Blake’s shooting, stating sharply, “we continue to love this country and this country does not reciprocate us”. Raptors guard Fred VanVleet told the media Tuesday that to bring about the change, players should “put something to lose, rather than just money or exposure.” Sitting outside the games, this certainly makes the claim that players are sick and tired of not changing anything regarding police brutality against blacks in this country.
The players have called a meeting on Wednesday evening to determine the next steps, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Follow along below as we keep you updated on what’s happening with the current situation.
