Bucks explain decision to boycott playoff game

On Wednesday afternoon, the Milwaukee Bucks decided as a team to boycott their Game 5 postseason matchup with the Orlando Magic. This led to the postponement of the rest of the day's games in response to the racial injustice across the country, most recently the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, WI.

As a team, the Bucks released the following statement:

“The past four months have shed a light on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African-American communities. Citizens around the country have used their voices and platforms to speak out against these wrongdoings. 

“Over the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin, we’ve seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, and the additional shooting of protestors. Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot be on basketball.

“When we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort and hold each other accountable. We hold ourselves to that standard, and in this moment, we are demanding the same from our lawmakers and law enforcement.

“We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable. For this to occur, it is imperative for the Wisconsin State Legislature to reconvene after months of inaction and take up meaningful measures to address issues of police accountability, brutality and criminal justice reform. We encourage all citizens to educate themselves, take peaceful and responsible action, and remember to vote on Nov. 3."

In another statement, issued by the National Basketball Players' Association, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said the following regarding the player protest and postponement of Wednesday's playoff games:

"Throughout the season restart, our players have been unwavering in their demands for systemic justice. This week, we witnessed another horrific, shocking and all-too-familiar act of brutality in the shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Players have, once again, made it clear -- they will not be silent on this issue. We stand with the decision of the players of the Milwaukee Bucks to protest this injustice and support the collective decision to postpone all of today's games."

Source: The NBPA on Twitter