Raptors, Celtics meet to discuss boycotting Game 1

Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics players gathered and met on Tuesday about the possibility of boycotting tomorrow’s opening game of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

ESPN’s Marc Spears reports Raptors guard Fred VanVleet and Celtics guard Jaylen Brown both spoke at the meeting.

“Boycotting the game has come up to them to demand a little more attention,” Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said on Wednesday.

“It’s ongoing discussions. I think it is on the table. There's some other ideas on the table as well.”

Nick Nurse talks about the potential boycott of the @raptors series vs. the @celtics. pic.twitter.com/jRTo8X1FZy

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 26, 2020

When asked about the likelihood both teams would holdout, Nurse said: “I don’t think I can put a percentage on it. The discussions are ongoing.”

Nurse also says he isn’t sure if the Raptors and Celtics would boycott only one game or the series entirely, adding that he’s heard some players talk about leaving the NBA’s Orlando bubble.

The two sides are expected to meet again tonight to further discuss their options.

Forward Pascal Siakam says he’s heartbroken for the families that have been forced to deal with trauma at the hands of armed police officers.

“It feels like we’re stuck. It feels like we’re not doing anything productive,” Siakam said.

This comes a day after an outspoken VanVleet and teammate Norman Powell both said they were distraught following yet another police-involved shooting involving a Black man.

Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old man from Kenosha, Wisconsin, was recorded being shot multiple times in the back.

He remains hospitalized in critical condition and his family says he’s paralyzed from the neck down.