No more Kneeling before games, NBA players have ramped up their protest against racial injustice by refusing to step onto the court.
In the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin, the time for action is now.
It begun with the Milwaukee Bucks, taking a stance and boycotting game five of their first-round playoff series game against Orlando Magic on Thursday morning (AEST).
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 26, 2020
Throughout the NBA bubble in Orlando, players have used their platforms to protest and raise their views about issues in society.
LA Lakers superstar LeBron James lead the way by calling for change and on Thursday he didn't hold back.
"F*** THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT" LeBron James tweeted.
James wore a “Make America arrest the cops for Breonna” cap last week and Lakers teammates followed suit.
The NBA and the NBPA today announced that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to not take the floor today for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic, today’s three games – MIL-ORL, HOU-OKC and LAL-POR have been postponed. Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled.
— NBA (@NBA) August 26, 2020
“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,” ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted.
Players and teams threw their support behind the Bucks' move not to take the floor in protest of the recent shooting.
“We tried the peaceful way, kneeling, we tried to protest, we tried to come out here and get together and play this game and tried to get our voice across, but it's not working. So, obviously, something has to be done,” Celtics Marcus Smart said.
“For those who don't understand what going on, it will always be bigger than basketball! We demand change!!! We demand justice! Have a blessed day,” Warriors guard Eric Paschall wrote.
“We demand justice,” Denver's Jamal Murray tweeted.
WE DEMAND CHANGE! SALUTE @Bucks ✊🏾🙏🏾🗣
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 26, 2020
“This sh*t bigger than basketball! Whoever don't understand that is part of the problem,” DeMar DeRozan wrote.
A meeting is set to take place between the NBA and the players today to discuss how to proceed with the remaining playoff games.