Bucks call for justice after refusing to play Game 5 vs. Magic
The Milwaukee Bucks decided not to play Game 5 of their first-round series against the Orlando Magic in response to Sunday's police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
As a result, all of Wednesday's games - including Game 5 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers' Game 5 against the Portland Trail Blazers - have been postponed, the league subsequently announced.
After Bucks players didn't come out on the court ahead of tipoff, Magic players went back to their locker room as well. The game was scheduled to begin shortly after 4 p.m. ET. More than three hours later, the Bucks exited from their locker room to issue a statement:
Full statement from the Milwaukee Bucks: pic.twitter.com/jjGEyVcCmB
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 26, 2020
"We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable," George Hill said as part of the Bucks' statement. "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 November 3."
Bucks players attempted to contact Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul from their locker room, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, who added Magic players didn't accept the Bucks' forfeit.
"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," Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams said, according to The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.
"Some things are bigger than basketball," Bucks senior vice president Alex Lasry wrote on Twitter. "The stand taken today by the players and (the organization) shows that we're fed up. Enough is enough. Change needs to happen. I'm incredibly proud of our guys and we stand 100% behind our players ready to assist and bring about real change."
The Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics have also considered sitting out games in their second-round series.