After the Milwaukie Bucks refused to take the court for their afternoon playoff game against the Orlando Magic, the sports world quickly reacted to the team’s stance and strike.
Within an hour, all three games scheduled in the NBA’s Orlando bubble were postponed. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the NBA players have called for a meeting in Orlando Wednesday night to discuss next steps.
Every NBA player is invited to join the meeting in The Bubble at 8 PM to discuss how they'll proceed from today's boycotts, sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
Several Denver athletes and other sports figures responded on social media. Jamal Murray, the hero of the Nuggets’ Game 5 win on Tuesday night, was one of the first.
WE DEMAND JUSTICE!!!
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) August 26, 2020
Former Nuggets head coach George Karl also chimed in.
I believe my mentor Coach Dean Smith would be very proud of our sport at this moment.
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) August 26, 2020
Broncos safety Kareem Jackson also posted a message. Jackson was featured on the cover of the most recent issue of Mile High Sports Magazine and in his feature discussed racism in America and his battle with COVID-19.
Salute to those guys in the bubble @NBA That’s heavy…. Real Heavy ✊🏾
— Kareem Jackson (@ReemBoi25) August 26, 2020
As of early Wednesday afternoon, current Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said that no discussions had taken place with his players about a potential strike. However, Malone indicated that he and his staff would support the team if they chose to do so.
.@nuggets head coach Michael Malone talking this morning. Before this boycott began. But had some thoughts and what might happen. pic.twitter.com/VrkSMKEAMq
— Jeff Howe (@sportsdenver) August 26, 2020
Rockies Manager Bud Black spoke to the media ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Rockies manager Bud Black on today's player protests: "There’s no doubt right now things are so super-charged with tension that it’s carrying over into sports. Those of us in sports, across leagues, are thinking about this and thinking about how we can make a difference."
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) August 26, 2020
Following the Nuggets’ come-from-behind win on Tuesday night, many fans were hoping to see if Denver could tie up the series on Thursday afternoon and force a decisive Game 7. That game is also the next game currently on the schedule for the NBA after Wednesday’s postponements.
Mile High Sports will continue to keep you up to date on the status of the game as news is available.
