The NBA and its players and coaches have taken myriad measures to make clear their support for the Black Lives Matter movement while standing against all racial injustice and police brutality, but in the wake of a Black man named Jacob Blake being shot seven times in the back by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday, there has been a running dialogue among players that what they're doing isn't enough, and moving forward, about what more they can do to use their platforms to impact change.
Walking out on games appears to be the latest step to be taken.
On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks did not show up on the court for Game 5 of their first-round matchup vs. the Orlando Magic, and shortly thereafter the NBA made it official that all of Wednesday's games have been postponed. From the NBA:
NEW YORK, Aug. 26, 2020 – The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association 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 – Bucks vs. Magic, Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers - have been postponed. Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled.
Here is the statement from the Bucks' management:
"We fully support our players and the decision they made. Although we did not know beforehand, we would have wholeheartedly agreed with them. The only way to bring about change is to shine a light on the racial injustices that are happening in front of us. Our players have done that and we will continue to stand alongside them and demand accountability and change."
Below is a prepared statement read by George Hill and Sterling Brown on behalf of the Bucks' players (full comments can be seen in the video underneath):
The past four months have shed a light on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African-American communities. Citizens around the country have used their voices and platforms to speak out against these wrongdoings. Over the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin we have seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, and the additional shooting of protestors. Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot be on basketball.
When we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort and hold each other accountable. We hold ourselves to that standard, and in this moment we are demanding the same from law makers and law enforcement. We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand officers be held accountable. For this to occur, it is imperative for the Wisconsin state legislature to reconvene after months of inaction and take up meaningful measures to address issues of police accountability, brutality and criminal justice reform. We encourage all citizens to educate themselves, take peaceful and responsible action and remember to vote on Nov. 3.
And a statement from NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts:
Below is everything we know at this time about this evolving, historic situation. You can also stay updated with our LIVE blog, which will be updating with information regularly.
1. Will the Bucks be forced to forfeit Game 5?
Almost certainly not. Multiple reports indicated the Orlando Magic, who reportedly did want to play, would not accept a forfeit should it have even come to that, but given that the league is postponing all games on Wednesday with the intent of rescheduling, a forfeit is not going to happen.
2. How are the players reacting?
They appear to be very united and very fed up. We'll let some of the tweets speak for themselves.
There are plenty more where these came from.
3. What comes next?
Nobody knows yet, but players inside the bubble have called for a meeting Wednesday night to discuss the next steps, per the Athletic's Shams Charania. For what it's worth, Yahoo Sports NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that a "sizable amount of players" are in favor of continuing the season given the sacrifices that were made to enter the bubble in the first place and the platform it still provides to have their voices heard and ultimately effect change.
To the point of actual tangible change to show for their efforts, the Bucks players reportedly spent significant time on the phone with Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, which, per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, then led to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers calling a special session of the State Legislature and urging lawmakers to vote on a legislative package that includes police reform.
We will continue to update this story as information becomes available.
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NBA postpones Wednesday playoff games after Bucks players walk out: What to know and what's next - CBS Sports
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