Milwaukee Bucks are going on strike for today's NBA playoff game over the police shooting of Jacob Blake

The Big Lead

In going on strike for today's Game 5 playoff game vs. the Orlando Magic, the Bucks players are making an unprecedented statement in the fight for racial justice in protesting the use of force against Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The 29-year-old Blake was unarmed when he was shot seven times in the back on Sunday, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. For the Bucks, police brutality is personal. In January 2018, Bucks player Sterling Brown had a knee to his neck and was punched by Milwaukee police officers for parking incorrectly in a Walgreens parking lot in the middle of the night. Their strike comes on the fourth anniversary of Colin Kaepernick beginning his peaceful protest during the National Anthem before an NFL preseason game.

UPDATES

• All of today's NBA games have been postponed after more teams opted to sit out
• "Emotions are raw, players were already worn out of bubble environment prior to the Jacob Blake shooting and sources say discussions within teams are ongoing about postponing tomorrow's three games too -- and beyond," reports ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, adding: "Tonight's meeting with players will go a long way toward determining how the players will move forward with rest of season."
• Milwaukee Brewers decide not to play tonight's Major League Baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds: Other MLB teams may follow, including the Seattle Mariners, which has the most Black players.
• Inside the NBA's Kenny Smith walked off the set live on air: "As a black man, as a former player, I think it's best for me to support the players and just not be here tonight," he said.
• All WNBA games for tonight have also been canceled
• Watch the Milwaukee Bucks player's statement