NBA Postpones Playoff Games After Milwaukee Bucks’ Boycott Over Blake Shooting

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 26: <>in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 26, 2020 in Lake Bue... LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 26: <>in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 26, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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The NBA announced on Wednesday afternoon that three games have been postponed  and will be rescheduled after the Milwaukee Bucks’ boycotted Game 5 of a first-round playoff series earlier in the day, as unrest has gripped Kenosha, Wisconsin after the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

The Bucks reportedly made the decision to boycott Wednesday’s game over the shooting of Blake, a 29-year-old Black man who was shot seven times in the back by police in Kenosha.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer declined to give a straightforward answer when asked before the game whether the Bucks planned a boycott or protest. On Monday, Buderholzer opened his pregame media session with a statement of support for Blake and his family and condemned police brutality.

“Our team has had lots of conversations and has a high level of concern and wants to continue to fight for racial justice, for social justice, for the end of excessive use of force by police, but I think it’s best for our team conversations and what we’re thinking and doing to stay private until if and when a player or myself decides something needs to be made public,” Budenholzer said, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The Journal Sentinel also reported that the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers are also reportedly were discussing boycotting their Game 5.

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Notable Replies

  1. Go Bucks!

  2. Waiting for Fat Nixon to fire the team…

  3. Only a few short hours ago things were pretty woebegone around here and now we are back in the fight. We have allies, we are allies. Never lose hope, never give up.

  4. Nice move. But this should go further. Cancel the playoffs.

    The one thing that Trump’s America wants and needs from our citizens of color are the sports events. This will hit 'em where it hurts.

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