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NBA PLAYOFFS
NBA Playoffs

Here is what we know about the NBA playoffs restart

The NBA playoffs will resume Saturday.

The NBA postponed Friday's playoff games after players and the league's board of governors met separately to discuss next steps.

The players announced earlier Thursday they would continue the season, after the Milwaukee Bucks decided not to play Game 5 of their first-round series against Orlando in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, 40 miles south of Milwaukee.

The following two games scheduled for Wednesday — Oklahoma City-Houston and LA Lakers-Portland — also were not played.

The Bucks called for “justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable. For this to occur, it is imperative for the Wisconsin State Legislature to reconvene after months of inaction and take up meaningful measures to address issues of police accountability, brutality and criminal justice reform. We encourage all citizens to educate themselves, take peaceful and responsible action, and remember to vote on Nov. 3.”

Here is an inside look at how the Bucks came to the decision to not play Wednesday.

OPINION:Bucks' decision not to play NBA playoff game will alter the course of history

BUCKS PLAYERS:'Our focus today cannot be on basketball'

An empty court and bench is shown following the scheduled start time of Game 5 between the Bucks and Magic.

What we know about the remainder of the NBA restart:

Is the season still on?

Yes. After meeting for more than two hours Wednesday night and again on Thursday morning, the players decided to continue in the bubble.

Will Friday’s games be played?

No. The NBA postponed games Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 

What happened at Wednesday's meeting?

Players — and some coaches — spoke with a contingent of players preferring to finish the season and some players thinking it would be best to leave the bubble and not play any more games. But there was no consensus.

What’s next for the players?

After the players decided to continue with the season, they pressed the NBA to further its efforts to effect change and fight social injustice and push for voter reform. 

What’s the NBA response?

The league and NBPA announced Friday a three-part plan to meet the players' demands. A social justice coalition will be formed, with members of the league and teams; team governors will continue to work with local governments to open arenas for voting, where possible; advertising spots promoting civic engagement and voting will appear in all playoff games.

What do players have to gain?

They would like to see racial equality, police accountability and an end to police brutality.

What did players have to lose?

There was a financial component to this, and National Basketball Players Association leaders were apprised of the short- and long-term ramifications of not finishing this season and playing without fans next season. Commissioner Adam Silver has said he wants to play the 2020-21 season in front of fans, which means a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 would have to be available.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.

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