ORLANDO, FL – NBA Players have boycotted all scheduled games scheduled for Wednesday, August 26th in protest of the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday.
The shooting, which is under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, occurred around 5 p.m. Sunday when officers responded to calls of a domestic incident. Video of the encounter showed Blake walking away from police, prompting one officer to grab his shirt as he attempted to open the driver’s side door of a parked SUV. The officer then shot Blake multiple times in the back. In the video, seven shots can be heard.
There were a variety of emotional statements made by NBA players and coaches following the games played on Monday. Players expressed anguish that these shooting by police thill occur.
“It’s amazing to me why we keep loving this country and this country does not love us back.” said Los Angele Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers.
The Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court for warm ups prior to their scheduled 4pm Game 5 matchup against the Orlando Magic. The Bucks, later made it clear that they were boycotting the game. The Magic followed suit and left eh floor in solidarity with the Bucks.
Later, the the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets stated that they were boycotting their game 5 game later today. Finally, the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trailblazers announced that they would also boycott, cancelling the whole NBA slate for the day.
The Milwaukee Brewers later announced that they would not be playing their game against the Cincinnati Reds today.
The WNBA held a meeting prior to their scheduled playoff games for the day. They stated that they would play tonight, but would stop play and hold the ball at the 7 minute mark of each quarter and put the ball on the floor to protest the shooting.
UPDATE8:45 PM
The WNBA has cancelled all games for Wednesday august 26th. Players gathered together, some with seven red dots in their backs signifying the 7 times Jacob Blake was shot by Kenosha, WI police.
The initial plan was to stop play at the 7th minute of each quarter o each game a put the ball on the floor. Eventually, it was announced that the games would not be played.
The three games were between the Atlanta Dream and defending WNBA champion Washington Mystics; the Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx; and the Connecticut Sun and Phoenix Mercury.
We stand in solidarity with our brothers in the NBA and will continue this conversation with our brothers and sisters across all leagues and look to take collective action,” said the Dream’s Elizabeth Williams. “What we have seen over the last few months, and most recently with the brutal police shooting of Jacob Blake, is overwhelming. And while we hurt for Jacob and his community, we also have an opportunity to keep the focus on the issues and demand change.”
This is a developing story…
