The Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic are boycotting Game 5 in protest.
The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to boycott Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic as a form of protest.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported the Bucks were in serious discussions to boycott Game 5 in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting, and multiple reports had surfaced this week detailing how distraught and discouraged players were within the NBA bubble upon realizing their voices were not being heard.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Malika Andrews reported the Bucks did not come out for warmups, and Charania added that NBA officials were outside the locker room, where Bucks players were adamant about not playing in Game 5.
The Magic, meanwhile, were on the court for warmups but left for the locker room with 3:56 on the warmup clock before tipoff time. Wojnarowski made it official the Bucks were boycotting Game 5. Magic players reportedly wanted to play, but left for the locker room when it became clear Milwaukee was boycotting.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic are making their voices heard
While it may have been naive to expect social justice messages on the backs of jerseys, “Black Lives Matter” being painted on the court and kneeling during the national anthem to prompt radical or immediate changes in American society, NBA players were understandably devastated by yet another unnecessary police shooting of a Black man.
They feel their voices have not been heard, and therefore, more drastic measures need to be taken. There were concerns that stepping back onto the court would distract sports fans and other viewers from the very real issues plaguing the United States right now, so this move is their response to remind the American public that change is necessary in this country.
Whether this move extends to the remaining games of the day (or even week) remains to be seen as the players continue to debate the pros and cons of such a serious decision. More on this situation as it develops.