NBA season could be in jeopardy following solidarity strike

The 2019-20 NBA season could be in jeopardy following Wednesday’s strike.

On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks were the first domino to fall in a solidarity strike among NBA players in protest of the Jacob Blake shooting over the weekend.

The Orlando Magic left the court as well before the Bucks’ Game 5 matchup, and not long after, it was reported the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers would all be sitting out of their Game matchups as well.

The NBA plans to reschedule those games, but with the players set to meet Wednesday night to discuss their next steps in protesting, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the conclusion of the 2019-20 season could be in jeopardy.

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. "The season is in jeopardy," one vet player here tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020

The 2020 NBA Playoffs could be in jeopardy

As Wojnarowski mentions, discussions are still ongoing in regards to sitting out Thursday’s three scheduled games as well. According to Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes, there’s a “sizable amount” of players who want to finish out the season because of the sacrifices that were made to enter the NBA’s bubble environment in Orlando. Those players are also citing their NBA platform being useful to help promote social change.

Whichever way these players decide to go, it will be their decision and theirs alone. There are definite pros and cons to each side of the equation, and such a decision should not be taken lightly. But there’s no question this solidarity strike is a historic moment in sports and a potential tipping point that demands the public’s attention.