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The players of the NBA have said from the start that the return to play in the NBA bubble will not distract them for the current fight for social justice. Today, they put an exclamation mark on their statement that they will be heard.
WE DEMAND CHANGE!!!!
— Tyus Jones (@1Tyus) August 26, 2020
The Orlando Magic took the floor for their pregame shoot around prior to Game 5 of their first round bout with the Milwaukee Bucks. It was a normal day in the very not-normal bubble, until it wasn’t.
The NBA, owners and front offices didn't see this wave of player boycotts coming today. Hours ago, they all expected to be playing these games tonight. This is a pivot point for the NBA and professional sports in North America.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
Three minutes before the game was set to tip off, the only people on the floor were the referees. The Bucks were still in the locker mulling over the decision to boycott the game in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in their home state of Wisconsin.
As news leaked that Milwaukee was trying to get in touch with Milwaukee’s Attorney General and were not going to take the floor, a domino effect was sure to ensue. Very soon after, news broke that the remaining four teams had no intention to take the floor tonight. The NBA capped it off with a statement that all three games had been postponed and would be rescheduled.
Here is timeline/thread of the very important, loud statement made today:
Top NBA executives are outside of the Milwaukee locker room, but haven't gone inside, per source.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to boycott Game 5, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams: “We weren’t given advanced notice about the decision but we are happy to stand in solidarity with Milwaukee, Jacob, and the entire NBA community. Change is coming.”
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) August 26, 2020
Bucks players are in locker room attempting to reach the attorney general of Wisconsin, Josh Kaul, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Magic players are leaving the arena soon -- not accepting the Bucks‘ forfeit.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
Every NBA player is invited to join the meeting in The Bubble at 8 PM to discuss how they'll proceed from today's boycotts, sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
Powerful Statement ✊ @Bucks
— JJJ (@jarenjacksonjr) August 26, 2020
Save for a bathroom break here or there, the Bucks have been sequestered in their locker room for more than two hours now
— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) August 26, 2020
Finally we leave you with perhaps the Grizzlies’ most vocal leader during this trying time in America:
Proud to be apart of this league! @NBA Brothers let’s continue to stand together, and demand change. Enough is enough!
— Tyus Jones (@1Tyus) August 26, 2020
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