The NBA players reportedly decided Thursday to resume the playoffs a day after Milwaukee Bucks players decided not to play in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake.
ESPN reported that Thursday’s slate of playoff games was postponed. The Athletic added that the players expect the playoffs to resume as early as Friday or potentially over the weekend.
The NBA has yet to release a statement on the issue.
The development came a day after the Bucks failed to show up for their playoff game against the Orlando Magic. The team chose to strike over the Blake shooting in Kenosha, Wis. The Magic supported the Bucks’ decision and the four other teams who were playing that night followed suit.
The Bucks released a joint statement with support of the front office about reasons they chose not to play.
“Over the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin, we’ve 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,” the team said.
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“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 our lawmakers and law enforcement.
“We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the 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.”
The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers reportedly voted to end the season. Yahoo Sports reported that LeBron James had changed his view on the rest of the season between Wednesday night and Thursday night, opting to continue the season because it was in the players’ best interest.
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Thursday’s scheduled games included Game 6 between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz, Game 6 between the Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks and Game 1 of the second-round series between the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors.
