After holding a meeting on Thursday morning, the NBA players reported agreed to resume the 2020 playoffs, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Thursday’s three playoff games are expected to be postponed and discussions are underway about when the games will resume. The bout took place after three playoff games were postponed on Wednesday, including the Bucks-Magic game in which Milwaukee players organized a walk-out before Game 5 began. The League’s Board of Governors should also have a call this morning to address the strikes on Wednesday night as well as what needs to happen next.
Several leaders of the Lakers’ roster, along with some players from other teams, were reportedly on their feet until the early hours of the morning to sort out their problems within the bubble. Following these talks, all players were able to agree to resume the season, for Wojnarowski.
During a Wednesday night match that consisted of players and coaches, the Lakers and Clippers were among the minority of teams that pushed 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.
Milwaukee’s outing before Game 5 against the Magic came 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 decided not to play on Wednesday, 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 our players and the decision they have made. Even if we did not know it in advance, we would have fully agreed 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 their side 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:
Many NBA players and coaches have spoken with heavy hearts since Blake’s shooting, and last Wednesday the Toronto Raptors discussed skipping Game 1 of their second-round bout against the Boston Celtics on Thursday.
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 it clear that players are fed up and tired of not changing anything about police brutality against blacks in this country.
Follow along below as we keep you updated on what’s happening with the current situation.
