Most weren't expecting much drama in the Bucks-Magic matchup in Game 5 of their first-round series Wednesday, hence the league burying it on NBA TV's forgotten afternoon slate. But the Bucks, who hail from the same state in which Jacob Blake was shot seven times by Kenosha, Wisconsin police earlier this week, became a symbol of resistance against a broken system, refusing to take the floor ahead of their 4:10 p.m. ET start at the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando.
Once the Magic surmised the Bucks — who sported the NBA's best regular-season record — were boycotting the game in protest of continued police brutality and mistreatment of African-Americans, they left the court as well, retreating to the locker room as equipment staff removed ball racks, towels and other items in a surreal scene at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex. The other playoff teams scheduled to compete — the Rockets, Thunder, Lakers and Trail Blazers — quickly followed suit, joining the Bucks' boycott as the NBA eventually moved to scrap its entire Wednesday slate. In recognition of Milwaukee's courageous gesture, the Magic chose not to accept the Bucks' forfeit that would have granted them a Game 5 victory.
This unprecedented chain of events — never before have we seen a team elect not to play (in a playoff game, no less) minutes before opening tip, in an effort to bring awareness to a social justice cause — has predictably been the talk of Twitter with reaction pouring in from all sectors. The Bucks' noble stand elicited praise from many, including NBA stars Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell, who both took to social media to express their support for Milwaukee's movement.
Pistons big man John Henson, who spent his first NBA six seasons in Milwaukee, shared a similar sentiment, lauding the Bucks for their boycott.
Houston Texans receiver Kenny Stills, who has been one of more vocal athletes on matters of racial equality and social justice, also lent his support to the Bucks' movement, as did ESPN analyst and former NBA guard Jalen Rose.
LeBron James, who has spoken at length in press conferences on the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, chimed in as well, demanding justice for victims of police brutality.
Atlanta Hawks star guard Trae Young voiced his opinion on the landmark boycott, commending his fellow players for putting action behind their words. Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan also shouted out the Bucks while acknowledging that fighting for what's right will always take precedence over basketball.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price, who made the difficult decision not to partake in the MLB's season amid concern over the coronavirus, hailed the Bucks for their strong stance against Blake's senseless shooting and other occurrences of police violence against African-Americans.
The Boston Celtics who tweeted the hashtag #JusticeForJacobBlake while sharing contact information for both the mayor and district attorney of Kenosha. The Celtics and Raptors had discussed boycotting the opener of their second-round series Friday.
Bucks owner Alex Lasry also offered words of encouragement, saluting his team for calling attention to the tragedy in Kenosha while doing its part to bring about meaningful change in society.
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