Bucks boycott Magic playoff tie in protest over Jacob Blake shooting
Game Five of the NBA playoff series between Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic has been postponed due the Bucks boycott decision in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to boycott Game Five of the NBA playoff series against Orlando Magic in protest over the police shooting of black man Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday.
“Myself and our players and our organization are very disturbed by what's happening in Kenosha," Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said on Wednesday.
"It's a great challenge to have an appreciation and a desire for change and something different and better in Kenosha and Milwaukee and Wisconsin and then go out and play a game."
Following their arrival at the AdventHealth Arena, the Bucks did not enter the court before the 4pm start time. NBA officials entered the Bucks dressing rooms before news broke of the team’s boycott decision. Orlando Magic subsequently left the court with four minutes to game time after having learned that their opponents would not play the match.
"We're tired of the killings and the injustice," Bucks guard George Hill told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears.
Support for Milwaukee Bucks decision
Bucks vice-president conveyed his support for the player’s decision in a tweet, in which he said: “Some things are bigger than basketball. The stand taken today by the players and org 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.”
LA Lakers legend LeBron James also backed his Milwaukee colleague’s decision. “F--- THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT,” tweeted the 35-uear-old.