The NBA playoffs will reportedly resume after the players voted to finish the postseason in Orlando, Florida. The league postponed three games on Wednesday after the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t take the floor prior to their scheduled matchup against the Orlando Magic.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reports that Thursday and Friday’s scheduled games will be postponed, with the league’s tentative plan to resume play on Saturday.
There is still a discussion ongoing among players about the timing of a playoff resumption — with an expectation that a Saturday return of games will be finalized later today, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
Players from the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers followed the Bucks’ lead and elected not to play in protest of the police-involved shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Blake, 29, was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha Police Officer in front of his children. Eyewitnesses posted videos of the incident on social media in which three officers can be seen shouting with their weapons pointed at Blake, while he walks around of a parked SUV. When Blake opened the door and reached inside, one officer pulls his shirt and fires into the vehicle. The investigation is ongoing, but reports are that Blake had a knife in his SUV. Several NBA players participated in a conference call with Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, who is overseeing the case. Two officers have been put on administrative leave.
Players from around the league joined protests across the country after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis Police officers. Many of the players are speaking out about racial inequality, and social justice issues in America during the NBA restart.
ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan says NBA legend, and current Charlotte Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan took part in a conference call with players, union reps, team governors, and league officials to help figure out the next steps.
Players from the Lakers and L.A. Clippers were reportedly in favor of shutting the season down during a meeting between players on Wednesday. That sentiment changed during the Thursday morning call, with the players union choosing to resume the postseason.
The Sacramento Kings released a statement on Twitter, and several Kings showed support the players who are participating in the bubble.
A historic statement for justice. Respect, @bucks.#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/cTZSoQIvy6
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) August 26, 2020
— Vivek Ranadivé (@Vivek) August 26, 2020
✊ ✊ ✊ @Bucks #JusticeForJacobBlake
— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) August 26, 2020
S/O To the Bucks! #BlackLivesMatter
— Harry Giles III (@HGiiizzle) August 26, 2020
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