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Last night the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take to the court. Minutes before tip off, no a single player had come to warm up. Eventually the Orlando Magic players retired, followed shortly by the referees.
The Bucks decision not to play was fueled by the shooting of Jacob Blake, a twenty-nine-year-old black man who was shot in the back seven times by a police officer while entering his car after walking away from two policemen. The shooting took place in Kenosha, Wisconsin, just miles from Milwaukee.
“We’re tired of the killings and the injustice,” Bucks guard George Hill told ESPN’s Marc Spears.
George Hill & Sterling Brown read the @Bucks full statement on their decision to boycott today's playoff game. pic.twitter.com/WhggfAhHxu
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 26, 2020
The NBA responded by shutting down the rest of the games in a show of solidarity.
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
Players from all over the league shared their disgust and concern.
NBA players react to the Bucks boycotting Game 5. pic.twitter.com/3FW2WytsU6
— ESPN (@espn) August 26, 2020
Doc Rivers gave a heart-felt statement.
I commend the players on the @Bucks for standing up for what they believe in, coaches like @DocRivers, and the @NBA and @WNBA for setting an example. It’s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values. pic.twitter.com/rUGETgAt7P
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 27, 2020
And Derrick White made his own contribution:
Derrick White on IG pic.twitter.com/S1G4ylkKya
— Bruno Passos (@bouncepassos) August 26, 2020
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