NBA players vote to resume playoffs

The players voted to resume the NBA playoffs after multiple meetings.

The NBA players and the board of governors had separate meetings Thursday morning to discuss the future of the season after Wednesday games were “postponed” due to the players’ solidarity strike. After Wednesday’s postponements, there was a real possibility that the NBA season could be in jeopardy.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, after Thursday’s morning meeting, the players have voted to continue with the playoffs. Per The Athletic’s Sham Charania, the league and players are aiming to restart games on Friday or at least by the weekend. A later report from Woj indicated Saturday may be the likeliest scenario. The games that were scheduled to be played on Thursday have been postponed according to Wojnarowski.

NBA meetings Thursday helped get playoff basketball back

According to Chris Haynes, players felt that it was in their best interest to continue with the season. One of the players in particular that had a change of heart since Wednesday night’s meeting was LeBron James. James was vocal during Wednesday’s meeting, as his team, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers express their desire to forego the remainder of the season.

During the meeting Wednesday night, James was critical of the owners, as he along with other players felt that they have not done enough to support the players or the African American community’s social justice efforts. Haynes says that the frustration of not being on the same page and emotions “got the best of some [players].”

What appears to be a factor in the players deciding to continue the season was their families joining them in the bubble. Family members of the players are currently in quarantine but will be able to join them in the bubble very soon. Per Charania, that and realizing the sacrifices they players made to get to this point was enough to sway the players who voted not to play during Wednesday’s call.

Meetings will still continue throughout the rest of Thursday, as ESPN’s Tim McMahon says that there will a meeting involving two players per team. Wojarnowksi also reported that there is a meeting between the NBA owners and players set for later on Thursday. It will involve potential plans of action moving forward regarding social justice issues.