The NBA postponed Wednesday's three play-off games after the Milwaukee Bucks called off their fixture in protest at the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Blake, a black man, was shot seven times in the back by police on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin near Milwaukee.

In baseball, three MLB games were called off after teams decided not to play, and five MLS matches have been postponed.

Tennis player Naomi Osaka pulled out of a WTA match on Thursday.

She tweeted that she would no longer play her semi-final in the Western & Southern Open in New York, saying that "as a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis".

The US Tennis Association, ATP and WTA subsequently announced it was pausing play at the Western & Southern Open on Thursday and would resume on Friday, adding that "tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice".

After boycotting their game against the Orlando Magic, the Bucks players released a statement that said: "Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot be on basketball.

"When we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort and hold each other accountable.

"We hold ourselves to that standard, and in this moment, we are demanding the same from our lawmakers and law enforcement.

"We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable."

The Seattle Mariners announced they had decided not to play the second game in their MLB series against the San Diego Padres.

The decision was based on a unanimous vote from the players, Mariners player Dee Gordon tweeted.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds also postponed their home MLB game scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

"The players from the Brewers and Reds have decided not to play tonight's baseball game," said a statement issued by the Brewers.

"With our community and our nation in such pain, we wanted to draw as much attention to the issues that really matter, especially racial injustice and systemic oppression."

California rivals the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers postponed their scheduled game and issued a joint statement that said: "Throughout our country's history, sport has been a powerful vehicle towards change.

"The Dodgers and Giants proudly join our players in the shared goal for a more equitable and just society."

Major League Soccer said the following matches had been postponed: FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids, San Jose v Portland, LAFC v Real Salt Lake, LA Galaxy v Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami v Atlanta United.

Milwaukee Bucks' senior vice-president Alex Lasry tweeted: "Some things are bigger than basketball. The stand taken today by the players and organisation shows that we're fed up. Enough is enough."

He added: "Change needs to happen. I'm incredibly proud of our guys and we stand 100% behind our players ready to assist and bring about real change."

After the postponement, a statement on behalf of the Bucks' owners read: "We fully support our players and the decision they made. Although we did not know beforehand, we would have wholeheartedly agreed with them.

"The only way to bring about change is to shine a light on the racial injustices that are happening in front of us. Our players have done that and we will continue alongside them and demand accountability and change."

Former US President Barack Obama, a dedicated basketball fan, tweeted his support of the walkout.

The Houston Rockets' game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers' match-up with the Portland Trail Blazers were also postponed, and will be rescheduled.

The Lakers' LeBron James tweeted: "We demand change. Sick of it." Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves added: "Shoot hoops, not people", while Denver Nuggets player Jamal Murray said: "We demand justice!"

Prior to the scheduled game, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said: "Myself, my players and our organisation are very disturbed by what happened in Kenosha.

"It is a great challenge to have an appreciation and a desire to want change, to want something different and better in Kenosha, Milwaukee and Wisconsin, and then to go out and play a game."

NBA players are scheduled for a meeting in Florida later on Wednesday to determine their next steps, with NBA TV saying that some players are contemplating leaving the NBA bubble near Orlando.

Earlier in the day, NFL's Detroit Lions cancelled their practice session. Players then gathered in front of the team facility, holding signs which read: "We Won't be Silent" and "The World Can't Go On."

After the NBA walkout, the NHL are expected to hold a 'moment of reflection' before the games between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning in Toronto, and the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche in Edmonton.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/53926764

A police man who shoots a suspect walking away at the back has committed a first degree murder by law

and some people will save close to 15 millín naira just to travel abroad and face this mess. Naija o, we die here.

The solution is 1 white police in company of 1 black police...all white police team is a black killer team.

donbachi:
The solution is 1 white police in company of 1 black police...all white police team is a black killer team.

Hmm

boxypane:
and some people will save close to 15 millín naira just to travel abroad and face this mess. Naija o, we die here.

Not holding brief... Nigerian police is far worse. Far far worse.

No Be small thing

Damnnnnn niggarrr
America is a shit hole

What a disheartening treatment from the police. Seems The American police are copying from their Nigerian counterparts. The officer should face the consequences without hesitation.

Do you think your brand logo is important?. Check my signature

That's the way forward!

Dump Trumpet called American black cousins Shit hole countries due to racism against black colours & some pigs are jubilating due to their hatred against one Nigeria & one Africa.
These pigs constitute the highest numbers of Nigerians in USA by the time Dump Trumpet starts flushing them down the shit holes, they will enter Sambisa forest & call it Dubai.
These lynching of blacks must stop

v

majority of white people hates black people

I wonder why blacks are always aggressive knowing the history of the trigger happy white police.

The guy shot had a knife in his hand before attempting to get something in his car before been shot at the back after been ordered to stop .

The police man will be let go as he can claim self defense.


It's just a pity he lost his life over nothing.

Fucking listen to instructions from people with gun

How hard is that.

The police man is a psycho though. Shot him 7 times from the back.

logon599:


Hmm

what is hmmm

I dont knw what is exactly wrong with police all over the world.


US used Mint MacBook Air 2015. 4/256gb ssd. Available
Price: 275k.

Come to my WhatsApp through my signature.

Good move. I watched the video trembling and wondering how human can be this dangerous.

Despite people shouting and screaming don't do it!
The police went ahead and shot at the guy at a very close range, not just once but 7 good times, right in the front of people, probably his family members, habba!

Just imagine the pain the guy felt before dying codly; the pain and trauma those watching him shot at - will feel.

nice one

Race struggles and discriminating views about skin colour is what I find unbelievable.

How can one feel he is superior to another human being because of colour?

The modern man has not been able to overcome this malaise. Should I say it's man's nature to struggle for superiority?

My verdict: Racial and ethnic discrimination will never go away. It's been a struggle since creation. Will it end in 2020? Hell no.

The best way to reduce it to the barest minimum is stiffer penalties for racial abusers.

We gotta start a protest here in Ojuelegba.

Ya know what I am saying, Bro?

#NiggahLivesMatter#

NLM or I pop some crackers.. ya feel me?

dangermouse:
Not holding brief... Nigerian police is far worse. Far far worse.

u don see or hear where Nigerian police shoot a whiteman dead before? how many?


Nigeria police dey kill their own people, those mumu white police should be killing their fellow pale people, e no go concern us.




I hail u, bro.

The US police department needs complete reorientation and rejigging too many white supremacists everywhere...
Black lives matter
I still blame Buhari Mr Shocker Shocker

logon599:
While my primary concerns are usually the issues plaguing my immediate surroundings before those in farther climes, but I must ask, how do you shoot someone who isn't shooting back at you, 7 times? Like 1,2,3,4,5 and you kept pulling the trigger till the 7th? Is he like Godzilla or something that can't be subdued unless shot severally and fatally?
Pls, before even talking about race yet, I think first, psych evaluations are VERY necessary before handing out guns to people!

Sadly they are big on handing out guns. Even more than the training these officers should receive to handle certain situations. Or background checks to determine ties to racist groups