© Kevin C. Cox | 2020 Aug 26
The Lakers and Clippers voted to end the current NBA season during a players only meeting following league-wide boycotts on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. The remaining 14 teams — including the Bucks, who were the first team to sit out — voted to continue on.
The meeting ended in an ‘ugly’ fashion according to David Aldridge and The Athletic. After reportedly being asked by Udonis Haslem how a season could continue if the Lakers and Clippers didn’t participate, LeBron James left the meeting and was soon followed by the two teams.
A clear resolution was not reached regarding a long term plan for what comes next, after all three scheduled NBA playoff games on Wednesday were boycotted, and then officially postponed by the league. The boycott began when the Bucks did not step on the court for their afternoon clash vs. the Magic, and ultimately refused to leave their locker room in the wake of Jacob Blake’s shooting at the hands of police officers.
The Rockets and Thunder soon followed suit, before the final game of the evening between the Lakers and Blazers was also postponed.
The players will meet again at 11 AM on Thursday to try and get closer on a solution. The owners will also hold a meeting Thursday morning, which will likely focusing on figuring out a way to meet player demands in exchange for the continuation of the season.
Thursday’s three scheduled playoff games are likely to be postponed regardless of the outcomes of the meetings.