NBA postpones tonight’s games in wake of Jacob Blake shooting

The Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, and the Portland Trailblazers are taking a stand in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin.

The NBA released the following statement, saying they were postponing Wednesday’s games.

“The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association 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 – Bucks vs. Magic, Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers - have been postponed. Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled.”

Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot from behind seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Aug. 23.

The first team to boycott was the Bucks, who were to take on the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

But the Bucks never made it out onto the court, according to ESPN’s Rachel Nichols.

“The Bucks didn’t come out of the locker room for their game against Orlando & now the Magic have left the court,” Nichols tweeted. “Players around the NBA Bubble have been discussing boycotting games in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting. @WojESPN says NBA officials are now talking to the Bucks.”

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks have decided not to play today.

According to ESPN’s Malika Andrews, game balls were being put away.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania said players for the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City will not play their game today.

Even Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James tweeted out about his frustration.