by TV One Staff

August 26, 2020

Before tip-off, NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks did not leave their lockerroom for their first-round series game against the Orlando Magic causing the league to postpone three scheduled games Wednesday.

Jacob Blake, a black man recently paralyzed after being shot seven times in the back by police, lived nearly 40 miles south of Milwaukee. Because of this, players took a stand to show their support for justice.

As these events rapidly unfolded, former players to a former president showed their support.

Barack Obama posted to Twitter saying, “It’s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values.”

I commend the players on the @Bucks for standing up for what they believe in, coaches like @DocRivers, and the @NBA and @WNBA for setting an example. It’s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values. pic.twitter.com/rUGETgAt7P

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 27, 2020

TNT’s Kenny Smith walked off set in solidarity just minutes into the start of Inside The NBA.

Kenny Smith, Inside the NBA host, just walked off the set: “As a black man, as a former player, I think it’s best for me to support the players and just not be here tonight.”pic.twitter.com/3561mMA1Vi

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 26, 2020

Former NBA players like Chris Webber gave their emotional reactions during the Wednesday evening broadcast.

Chris Webber holds back tears while speaking about NBA players’ strike after the police shooting of Jacob Blake pic.twitter.com/wowdpF9adg

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 26, 2020

This NBA and WNBA players strike come four years after NFL’s Colin Kaepernick took a knee for the first time during the national anthem.

TV One

Black Lives That Should’ve Mattered

15 photos Launch gallery

Black Lives That Should’ve Mattered

1. Breonna Taylor

Source:Instagram 1 of 15

2. George Floyd

Source:Instagram 2 of 15

3. Atatiana Jefferson

Source:Instagram 3 of 15

4. Ahmaud Arbery

Source:Michael Tullberg/Getty Images 4 of 15

5. Philando Castile

Source:Stephen Maturen/Getty Images 5 of 15

6. John Crawford III

Source:SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images 6 of 15

7. Oscar Grant

Source:MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images 7 of 15

8. Tamir Rice

Source:Angelo Merendino/Getty Images 8 of 15

9. Michael Brown

Source:Scott Olson/Getty Images 9 of 15

10. Eric Garner

Source:Stephanie Keith/Getty Images 10 of 15

11. Sandra Bland

Source:KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images 11 of 15

12. Philando Castile

Source:Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images 12 of 15

13. Trayvon Martin

Source:Amanda Edwards/WireImage 13 of 15

14. Tony Robinson

Source:Scott Olson/Getty Images 14 of 15

15. Freddie Gray

15 of 15

Skip ad

TV One Continue reading Barack Obama Supports NBA & WNBA Players After Wednesday Strike

Black Lives That Should’ve Mattered

The #BlackLivesMatter movement has been a defining moment in history, reinforcing that Black people are actually people that deserve respect and deserve to live.