Following the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to boycott Game 5 of their first-round series with the Orlando Magic, all of Thursday's playoff games have now officially been postponed.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Milwaukee's players made the decision in wake of Jacob Blake, a Black man, being hospitalised after he was shot seven times by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The NBA Players Association, Coaches Association, along with teams around the league have thrown their full support behind the players' decision as they demand change and continue their push for social justice.
Michele Roberts - NBPA Executive Director
NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts on Player Protest and Postponement of Games pic.twitter.com/bjy6hpP9kU
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 27, 2020
NBA Coaches Association
The NBA Coaches support our players 100%. The restart happened largely because of the platform it provided. The baseless shootings of Jacob Blake and other black men and women by law enforcement underscores the need for action. Not after the playoffs, not in the future, but now.
— NBA Coaches Assoc. (@NBA_Coaches) August 27, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers
"We stand with our players and the players of the NBA in their demand for justice and the end of racial violence.
"Eighty percent of NBA players are Black men. We cannot love them for the joy and entertainment that they bring to the world, yet sit in silence and fail to use our platforms and resources to amplify their voices when they demand the justice and equality that America has promised us all, but denied Black people for too long.
"In 2020 alone, we have been made to bear witness to the killings of numerous unarmed Black men and women at the hands of the police, as well as private “vigilantes.” Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and now Jacob Blake.
"We must continue to say their names. But now is also the time for us to say enough."
Atlanta Hawks
We demand action.#JusticeForJacobBlake pic.twitter.com/9rVhlmx03K
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) August 25, 2020
Charlotte Hornets
✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻 #BiggerThanBasketball https://t.co/nt7NlF4Zed
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) August 26, 2020
Brooklyn Nets
ENOUGH.#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/jJYgg5UXy7
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) August 27, 2020
Chicago Bulls
Bigger than basketball ✊🏾#NBATOGETHER#BLACKLIVESMATTER pic.twitter.com/QNfsQsn5By
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 26, 2020
Detroit Pistons
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) August 26, 2020
Houston Rockets
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) August 27, 2020
LA Clippers
A statement from @Steven_Ballmer. pic.twitter.com/p8wGQHiY7y
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) August 27, 2020
Miami Heat
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 27, 2020
Milwaukee Bucks
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 26, 2020
Minnesota Timberwolves
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/rUJPCRn8Yg
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) August 26, 2020
New Orleans Pelicans
Statement from the New Orleans Pelicans #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/vsRL0BXdKd
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) August 27, 2020
New York Knicks
Statement from the New York Knicks. pic.twitter.com/LIvuz8qbVm
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) August 26, 2020
Oklahoma City Thunder
Statement from the OKC Thunder:
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) August 27, 2020
The Thunder respects and supports our players peacefully bringing awareness to the critical issues happening in our country. Our organization will continue to work relentlessly to create meaningful change.
Orlando Magic
STATEMENT FROM THE ORLANDO MAGIC AND THE DeVOS FAMILY pic.twitter.com/jRZJmo1mq4
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) August 26, 2020
Portland Trail Blazers
We stand with Milwaukee and Kenosha, WI and Jacob Blake. Here are a few ways you can demand justice at this time. pic.twitter.com/X01KAKGir8
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) August 27, 2020
Philadelphia 76ers
We stand in support of those using their platform for change.#BlackLivesMatter
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) August 26, 2020
Sacramento Kings
— Vivek Ranadivé (@Vivek) August 26, 2020
San Antonio Spurs
We stand united with the entire NBA Family in continuing the fight against racism and social injustice. Black Lives Matter. pic.twitter.com/nn13pKXqfw
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) August 27, 2020
Toronto Raptors
We stand with our brothers. https://t.co/NnAQJWCmu1
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 26, 2020
Utah Jazz
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) August 27, 2020
Washington Wizards
#TogetherWeStand https://t.co/hT1T1iC8hC
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) August 27, 2020
