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Milwaukee Bucks boycott playoff game in protest at Jacob Blake shooting

Milwaukee Bucks players have decided to boycott game-5 of their NBA Playoff series with Orlando M...
Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

21.25 26 Aug 2020


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Milwaukee Bucks boycott playof...

Milwaukee Bucks boycott playoff game in protest at Jacob Blake shooting

Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

21.25 26 Aug 2020


Share this article


Milwaukee Bucks players have decided to boycott game-5 of their NBA Playoff series with Orlando Magic. 

They're boycotting as a means of protest against the shooting of Jacob Blake in the Wisconsin city of Kenosha.

Blake, 29, was shot and injured by police on Sunday as he leaned into his car and his children watched.

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He is currently recovering in hospital, but his lawyers say it will take "a miracle" for him to walk again.

However, the shooting has led to angry protests in Kenosha.

The Bucks lead the Orlando Magic 3-1 in their first round playoff, and a win tonight would have seen Milwaukee progress to meet Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

The Magic took to the floor for their pre-game warm-ups on Wednesday night, but retreated to the dressing room when it became clear the Bucks were not going to show.

NBA Vice President Kiki Vandeweghe was among a delegation seen outside the Bucks' dressing room.

When the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trailblazers indicated they would also sit out game-5 of their series, the NBA took action.

The league postponed all three matches scheduled for Wednesday, saying they would be rescheduled.

The Toronto Raptors are due to play the Boston Celtics in their first game of the Eastern Conference semi-finals on Thursday, and it's rumoured they could follow the Bucks' lead.

Milwaukee guard George Hill was quoted as saying, "We’re tired of the killings and the injustice".

LeBron James - currently in the Florida 'bubble' with the Lakers, tweeted to say. "FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT"


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#BlackLivesMatter Basketball Black Lives Matter Bucks Jacob Blake Magic Milwaukee Milwaukee Bucks NBA Orlando Orlando Magic

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