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Players across the NBA and sports offer support for the Bucks' boycott

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Bucks call for police accountability in team statement (1:55)

Sterling Brown and George Hill speak on behalf of the Milwaukee Bucks as the team continues to fight for justice for Jacob Blake. (1:55)

The Milwaukee Bucks boycotted Game 5 on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The NBA announced shortly after that all of Wednesday's playoff games -- including Game 5 between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder and Game 5 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers -- had been postponed.

Lakers superstar LeBron James was among the first NBA players to react on social media, tweeting: "F--- THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT."

Players and teams across the basketball and sports worlds are joining the overwhelming show of support for the Bucks' decision to protest.

MORE: NBA players spoke up before walking out

Alex Lasry, senior vice president of the Bucks and son of owner Marc Lasry, echoed his team's message. "I'm incredibly proud of our guys and we stand 100% behind our players ready to assist and bring about real change," Lasry's tweet read.

Jeanie Buss, CEO of the Lakers, who would have attempted to close out the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night in their first-round series, said, "I stand behind our players, today and always."

The National Basketball Players Association and multiple NBA teams used their platforms to push for justice for Blake and support Black Lives Matter.

Former President Barack Obama tweeted his support for the players and the NBA, specifically commending LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers for his comments Tuesday night on the fight for social and racial justice. Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden applauded the Bucks for their "moral leadership." Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers tweeted that his state will "take up meaningful measures to address issues of police accountability, brutality, and criminal justice reform."

MORE: TNT's Kenny Smith walks off set in solidarity with player protest


Sports world joins in support of Bucks players and the NBA

After news broke of the Bucks' boycott and the ensuing postponements of Wednesday night's playoff games, teams and athletes across the WNBA, MLB, MLS, NFL and NHL showed support on social media.

Here is a look at how each sport and its players are showing support:

WNBA

The WNBA postponed all three regular-season games Wednesday night:

  • Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream

  • Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx

  • Connecticut Sun vs. Phoenix Mercury

MLB

Major League Baseball postponed three games Wednesday night:

MLS

Major League Soccer postponed five matches Wednesday night:

  • FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids

  • Real Salt Lake vs. LAFC

  • San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers

  • LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC

  • Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United FC

NHL

The NHL chose to hold a "moment of reflection" prior to Wednesday's playoff games, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported. The Tampa Bay Lightning-Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche-Dallas Stars series played as scheduled. Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild, who has been a leader among NHL players calling for social justice, was quick to tweet his support.

NFL

On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions canceled practice to protest the shooting of Blake. Following the Bucks' boycott Wednesday, NFL stars joined in support.

Tennis

Naomi Osaka, the No. 10-ranked player in the world, announced that she would not play her semifinal match Thursday at the Western & Southern Open.