NBA to Resume Playoffs on Saturday After Forming Social Justice Coalition

The league and its players worked to find a resumption date after establishing a social justice coalition

NBA players have voted to resume the 2020 playoffs, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Games will restart Saturday, per a league statement. The league and its players worked to find a resumption date after establishing a social justice coalition, which will work on "voting initiatives, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform."

"These commitments follow months of close collaboration around designing a safe and healthy environment to restart the NBA season, providing a platform to promote social justice, as well as creating an NBA Foundation focused on economic empowerment in the Black community," NBPA executive director Michele Roberts and NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. 

"We look forward to the resumption of the playoffs and continuing to work together–in Orlando and in all NBA team markets–to push for meaningful and substantial change."

Full release from the NBA and NBPA: Social justice coalition being formed; team governors working to convert all arenas into location for 2020 general election; advertisement spots to promote civic engagement and awareness. pic.twitter.com/piU3gmOxgh

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 28, 2020

Six teams opted not to play on Wednesday following the shooting of Kenosha, Wisc. resident Jacob Blake. Players across the league met on Wednesday night following the postponements, though no decision was reached. The Lakers and Clippers both reportedly voted for the season to be canceled, though their vote was not considered a final ruling. 

LeBron James and the Lakers reportedly reversed their position on Thursday morning, per Yahoo's Chris Haynes.

Yahoo Sources: There was a change in position from last night with LeBron James, among others, relaying it was in their best interest to finish out the season.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 27, 2020

Teams are expected to meet with the league office on Thursday to discuss a plan of action both for resuming the season and fighting racial injustice and police brutality. Two players from each team will speak with the league, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon.