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NBA Playoffs resume Saturday, teams to facilitate November voting

The NBA Playoffs are to resume on Saturday.  It follows two days of suspension, as players prote...



NBA Playoffs resume Saturday,...
Other Sports

NBA Playoffs resume Saturday, teams to facilitate November voting

The NBA Playoffs are to resume on Saturday. 

It follows two days of suspension, as players protested against the shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin of Jacob Blake.

The 29-year old lies paralysed but handcuffed to his hospital bed after being shot in the back seven times in front of his children by police officers on Sunday.

The NBA protests began on Wednesday, when the Milwaukee Bucks decided to sit out game-5 of their first round playoff with Orlando.

The rest of that night's games were also postponed, as was the full slate of Thursday night matches.

Talks involving all of the game's stakeholders were held on Thursday night, as they worked towards their next step as a league.

A joint-statement from the NBA and the players' union (NBPA) described those talks as "candid, impassioned and productive."

They've agreed to resume the Playoffs on Saturday, subject to a number of conditions. Among them, is a resolution for teams to play a part in facilitating high voter turnout in the November elections.

Their statement says, "In every city where the league franchise owns and controls the arena property, team governors will continue to work with local elections officials to convert the facility into a voting location for the 2020 general election to allow for a safe in-person voting option for communities vulnerable to COVID.

"If a deadline has passed. team governors will work with local elections officials to find another election-related use for the facility. including but not limited to voter registration and ballot receiving boards."

They also say, "The league will work with the players and our network partners to create and include advertising spots in each NBA playoff game dedicated to promoting greater civic engagement in national and local elections and raising awareness around voter access and opportunity."

On top of all that, they've announced the formation of a social justice coalition.

It will have representatives from players, coaches and team governors that will be "focused on a broad range of issues, including increasing access to voting, promoting civic engagement. and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform".

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Jacob Blake Kenosha LeBron James Michael Jordan Milwaukee Bucks NBA Playoffs Wisconsin