NBA plans to resume playoffs

Celtics players involved in discussions about the next steps in protests of social injustice.

Following a series of meetings, it appears that the NBA will be resuming the playoffs Friday or Saturday.

Three games scheduled for Wednesday did not happen after the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their matchup with the Orlando Magic in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake by the police Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The Celtics were scheduled to open a second-round series against the Toronto Raptors Thursday night but that game was postponed, as were games between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the league said: "NBA playoff games for today will not be played as scheduled. We are hopeful to resume games either Friday or Saturday.

"There is a videoconference call meeting scheduled later this afternoon between a group of NBA players and team governors representing the 13 teams in Orlando, along with representatives from the National Basketball Players Association and the league office and NBA Labor Relations Committee chairman Michael Jordan to discuss next steps.’’

Players on teams still in the Disney World bubble met Wednesday night to discuss a course of action and the NBA owners reportedly met Thursday morning.

According to ESPN, the meeting Thursday between players, owners and NBA representatives was to be held to discuss how to deal with social justice issues. A revised schedule of games would be revealed after that.

The Raptors were the first team to discuss a boycott after Blake was shot seven times and paralyzed as he moved into his car where his three children were.

The Bucks then took action, failing to take the court for their game at 4 p.m. against the Magic, who were warming up and ready to go.

At the meeting Wednesday night, players discussed the course of action they should take after the boycott.

According to ESPN, Jaylen Brown of the Celtics asked his fellow players, "If you leave, are you going to leave and hang out with your families? Are you going to be in the trenches? Are you going to be in the streets?’’

During a media availability Wednesday afternoon, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum spoke of how it is important for players to let their voices be heard.

"We’re just trying to get the message out there we’re more than just basketball players,’’ Tatum said. "Basketball gives us a platform to use. We know the impact that we have. We’re trying to figure out the best way to use that.’’

The Celtics posted a message on their Twitter feed titled, "Justice For Jacob.’’ The message included the names of the Kenosha mayor and district attorney with their email addresses and phone numbers, plus contact information for the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Bill Russell, who won 11 championships with the Celtics in the 1950s and 1960s, has fought racial inequality for decades. He tweeted his support of the players and Kenny Smith, who walked off the TNT set Wednesday night in support of the boycott.

"I’m moved by all the @NBA players for standing up for what is right,’’ Russell wrote. "To my man [Smith], I would like to say thank you for what you did to show your support for the players. I am so proud of you. Keep getting in good trouble.’’

Celtics rookie Grant Williams said Wednesday that players don’t want things to become "stagnant’’ in the bid to raise awareness for injustice.

"We understand the change can’t happen overnight,’’ Williams said. "It’s systemic, something that’s been in our system for 400 years. In order for us to take one step at a time, we also can’t allow something to be stagnant.

"That’s what we felt that it was. We’re on the television instead of people who are dying and the people who are crying for their loved ones. We can’t have something be stagnant.’’

Williams said that players have been upset all week after watching the video of Blake being shot.

"Yes, we’re playing basketball and that’s supposed to be our sanctity, but we’re over here, guys are crying,’’ Williams said. "Guys are hurting right now because of what’s going on. You never know if that’s your brother, my cousin. That’s something that weighs down on you. It’s very trying to the mind.’’

The boycott that took place Wednesday has led to plenty of discussion and Williams hopes that even more can be done.

"All we can hope to try to do is impact change,’’ he said. "That’s something that we’ve always strived for. We started with the kneeling. We were hoping that would send a message. It sent a message, but then as that message gets pushed, they stopped showing us [kneeling during the anthem on television].

"Now it’s about what can we do next to not only show that we’re involved and that we really care. It saddens us that nothing’s changing.

"We all understand if we’re not playing what are we doing to show and help what’s going on outside this bubble. We understand how important our platforms are to people who look up to us.’’

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.