The 2020 NBA Playoffs may not go ahead as some NBA teams begin to indicate that they are ready to move away from the Orlando bubble. All teams that would play today would not choose to take the court. This evening, participating teams met to discuss the way forward. According to multiple reports, some teams are voting to end the season.
The walkout comes as an extension of nationwide protests over systemic violence against black Americans, again fueled by the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee Bucks were the first team to stay in their locker room instead of taking the floor today, soon followed by their opponents, the Orlando Magic. As the day went on, other teams followed.
National media start reporting on the results of the evening meeting. According to those reports, votes were divided.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers have voted to boycott the rest of the playoffs and were the first two teams to leave the meeting, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
– Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 27, 2020
Sources: Each team next to the Lakers and Clippers voted to continue playing. LeBron James said at the meeting that he wants owners to be more involved / take action.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2020
The NBA Board of Governors has convened a special meeting for Thursday morning to discuss the matter.
Told that the players’ meeting ended “ugly” per source, with uncertainty about what will happen tomorrow. The union will be present at the Source of Governors’ special meeting by any source.
– David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) August 27, 2020
Sources for @YahooSports: Board of Directors meeting before 11 AM ET. That power movement of Clippers and Lakers gives the owners a timeline on a plan
– Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) August 27, 2020
We will post more about the story as it becomes available.
Update 20:10 Pacific
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski says Thursday’s slate of playoff games is unlikely to happen.
Discussions over next season will continue until tomorrow, sources tell ESPN, but it seems unlikely that the three playoff games will be played on Thursday. “Everyone is still too emotional,” one senior source told ESPN. “There needs to be more time to get over this.”
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
Update 20:13 p.m.
Analyst Jeff Goodman explains this:
One NBA player approached me after the meeting: “It was emotional. Heated. It doesn ‘t look good right now, but we all hope everyone sleeps on it and maybe we can figure it out tomorrow, because most of us still want to find a way to play. “
– Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) August 27, 2020
Update 20:18 p.m.
A league source in the bubble tells ESPN that there was “no sense of completion” now that last night’s meeting has been adjourned. Added that the feeling of “uncertainty” will remain until tomorrow’s emergency 11 am ET Board of Governors meeting occurs.
– Dave McMenamin (@mcten) August 27, 2020
Update 21:23 p.m.
Many people tweet fragments that may or may not add to the story (and frankly may or may not have fixed interpretations). Wojnarowski has the best summary:
Sources: When some in tonight’s meeting wanted to hear the Bucks’ explanation for making an abrupt decision independent of the rest of the teams to boycott the game, Jaylen Brown of Boston essentially said that the Bucks did not have to explain themselves and he fully supported what they were doing today. ,
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
ESPN Sources: Under topics in meeting: NBPA explained end-of-season financial implications, including possible exclusion next year. Chris Paul on leaving the meeting CJ McCollum on a plan of action needed. Doc Rivers uses platform, votes, holds police accountable.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
