NEWSLETTER
Against the backdrop of police shooting Jacob Blake, a black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Bucks were scheduled to play Game 5 of their first-round series against the Orlando Magic at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
They never took the court. [Ed. note – tweets are not loading properly at the moment, so you may not see the embeds below, but the text of the tweets should display.]
Clock is at 0:00 —- Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks are not on the court. pic.twitter.com/qAjoXDWCom
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) August 26, 2020
Milwaukee and NBA personnel are standing outside of Bucks‘ locker room — where players have been adamant about sitting Game 5 in protest, sources tell me and @joevardon. https://t.co/3IxSnRnldr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
Game balls are being put away, as the Bucks decide to boycott game 5 against the Magic. pic.twitter.com/Cy32q2CJH7
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) August 26, 2020
Well, this is something. pic.twitter.com/m60EXF8kPn
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) August 26, 2020
We will update as this develops.
As I’m typing, this drops:
The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to boycott Game 5, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
Update (3:30): Kenosha, Wisconsin is only about 40 miles south of the Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Bucks arena.
The Bucks players made this decision in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin, ultimately deciding that they wouldn't leave the locker room for the start of Game 5 against Orlando. https://t.co/COJ6E0aJLj
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
Update (3:44): George Hill continues to make his voice heard. On Monday, he told reporters “We shouldn’t have even come to this damn place, to be honest. I think coming here took all the focal points off what the issues are.”
Hill and his fellow teammates have now put all eyes back on the problem.
George Hill has walked out of the locker room in a shirt that says “Change the Narrative.”
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) August 26, 2020
George Hill and the Bucks are taking a stand.
(via @MarcJSpears) pic.twitter.com/4ouakp3ipW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 26, 2020
Update (3:45): In the wake of the Bucks decision to boycott Game 5, numerous questions arise. How many other teams will follow? How will the NBA react? How many games will be boycotted moving forward? Will players leave the bubble?
All we know for now is that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets have chosen to boycott their game, as well, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Decision made. Thunder and Rockets are boycotting Game 5, sources said. https://t.co/SCNAjsQYea
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
Update (3:52): The Athletic’s Shams Charania is also reporting that the Bucks are trying to reach the Attorney General of Wisconsin. As far as we know, players have not exited the locker room yet.
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
Update (4:04): The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers have decided to boycott Game 5 tonight. It’s official, all scheduled NBA games today will not be played. The players took a stand.
The Lakers and Trail Blazers are sitting Game 5 of series, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
All three NBA games will not be played as players sit in wake of Jacob Blake shooting.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
Update (4:18): Remember, the players made this happen.
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
Update (5:10): We should learn more tonight …
“The Season is in Jeopardy” – NBA Players will Meet Wednesday Night to Discuss Next Steps After Boycotthttps://t.co/IJoPYbaYTW
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 26, 2020
