celtics

Game 1 of Celtics-Raptors Series Rescheduled for Sunday

After games were called off in protest against racial injustice, the Boston Celtics will now begin their playoff series against the Toronto Raptors Sunday afternoon

NBC Universal, Inc.

The Boston Celtics now know when they'll start their Round 2 showdown with the Toronto Raptors, the defending NBA champions, after the initial date was postponed amid league-wide racial justice protests.

Tip-off of Game 1 was moved to Sunday at 1 p.m., the Celtics said.

The game had initially been scheduled for Thursday, but it was postponed as players in all major sports decided against playing games in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The schedule for the rest of the games beyond Game 1 hasn't been announced yet.

The Milwaukee Bucks did not walk out to play Game 5 of their series with the Orlando Magic on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier Friday, the NBA announced that games would begin again Saturday, and that all its team owners who have control of their arenas will work with local elections officials to allow voting in the buildings, fulfilling one of the NBA players' demands. A social justice commission was also set up, made up of players, coaches and owners, and league-created ads promoting civic engagement will be aired ahead of the election.

"The Me Generation has turned into an Us Generation, and I think that's a very good thing," said Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell, reacting to the players' protest.

The shooting of Jacob Blake has sparked numerous protests throughout the professional sports world, including the MLB, NHL and NBA. NBC Sports Boston Reporter A. Sherrod Blakely stops by to break down the events that have ensued with pro athletes over the last 48 hours in the fight against systematic racism and police brutality.

Boston officials said that under current law, the TD Garden and Fenway Park cannot be used as polling places in upcoming elections.

In other Boston sports, the Red Sox are set to resume their play Friday and honor Jackie Robinson. And the Bruins will play Saturday at noon on NBC.

Contact Us