SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA and WNBA decided to postpone games scheduled for Thursday in light of protests from players in both leagues on Wednesday. The NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and several WNBA teams have chosen to boycott their scheduled games following the shooting death of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by a police officer in Wisconsin.
“The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced today that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision not to take the floor today for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic, all three games today – Bucks vs. Magic, Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers — have been postponed,” the release said. “Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled.”
The NBA’s statement regarding today’s playoff games. pic.twitter.com/3tQ5PVNTAv
– Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) August 27, 2020
The Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets were scheduled to meet in sixth game to 2 p.m. MT Thursday before games are postponed.
WNBA Statement on Decision to Postpone Games
THE WNBA also released a statement on the league’s decision to postpone its Wednesday games. Unlike the Bucks, who opted to remain in their locker room during the game, many WNBA players spoke at their scheduled games to show their protest.
“As WNBA players continue to discuss and vote on recent events, the WNBA has announced that all three games scheduled for tonight (Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever; Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty; Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm) have been postponed. Information regarding the rescheduling of yesterday’s and today’s games will be provided as it becomes available.”
The following was released by the WNBA: pic.twitter.com/1QFpQJxrYU
–WNBA (@WNBA) August 27, 2020
The NBA and WNBA are expected to hold playoff games in the state of Florida through October, despite their decision to postpone games.
