Black Lives Matter
The NBA took the decision to postpone three play-off matches on Wednesday evening after the Milwaukee Bucks players boycotted their match against the Orlando Magic following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Blake, a black man, was shot seven times by police officers and is paralysed from the waist down. He is currently recovering in hospital, though it will take a “miracle” for him to walk again.
In a display of solidarity with Blake and a protest against institutionalised racism within the police, Bucks players did not return to the court after their warm ups ahead of game five of their series against the Magic.
The Bucks’ boycott of their match prompted rumours that teams due to play later would also boycott their matches. LeBron James, currently with the LA Lakers, tweeted his demand for change.
FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2020
The NBA then issued a statement, confirming that the two remaining games, the first between the Rockets and the Thunder, the other between the Lakers and the Trail Blazers, would be postponed.
“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,” the statement said.
