NBA: Bucks boycott playoff game

The Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their recent game against the Orlando Magic in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on Wednesday, August 26, in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Blake was shot in the back seven times by officer Rusten Sheskey, and is in the hospital. The Bucks players released a statement following the decision to boycott, read by George Hill and Sterling Brown. Watch the video here.

Full statement below:

“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're 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 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 November 3."

Photo Credit: NBA.