After a historic protest that saw NBA players refuse to play in protest over the shooting of Wisconsinite Jacob Blake that would spread to most North American pro sports, the league has decided to move forward with the season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that games could resume as soon as Friday, and no later than this weekend, with a meeting between team owners and players scheduled for later today on plans of action regarding social justice concerns.
For the Boston Celtics, this likely means no Game 1 this evening of their second-round series with the Toronto Raptors. But, if games end up bumped a day or two forward from their original dates, as seems to be the working plan, that series may begin before the weekend is over — perhaps as soon as Friday.
The resumption of playoff games could come as soon as Friday, but there is expected to be a return to this season by the weekend, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/A2PazNKDhy
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
The change of heart reported in LeBron James on continuing by Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes and the advocacy of players in last night’s informal player meeting at the Disney restart likely averted what could have become a long, protracted strike.
And given the unprecedented nature of so much going on the world right now, it seems players feel having the stability and platform the games provide is worth — at least for now — continuing.
But it should be stressed, this is far from a settled matter, with any agreements made contingent on a number of good-will agreements between the league, owners and players on how to move forward in these most fraught times yet to be formalized.
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