NBA

An empty court and bench are shown with no signage following the scheduled start time in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. NBA players made their strongest statement yet against racial injustice Wednesday when the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t take the floor for their playoff game against the Orlando Magic.(Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

NBA to resume play but immediate future of North American sports uncertain after boycotts

Some games were postponed in Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and the WNBA

An empty court and bench are shown with no signage following the scheduled start time in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. NBA players made their strongest statement yet against racial injustice Wednesday when the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t take the floor for their playoff game against the Orlando Magic.(Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
Referees huddle on an empty court at game time of a scheduled game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic for Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

NBA postpones all games tonight after players protest

Decision to protest comes in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake last weekend in Wisconsin

Referees huddle on an empty court at game time of a scheduled game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic for Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, right, talks with Kyle Lowry (7) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse says the idea of a boycott “is on the table” after players from his team and the Boston Celtics met Tuesday night in advance of their NBA playoff series. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo

Raptors coach says Toronto, Boston players have discussed boycott, other ideas

The Raptors have been at the forefront of the NBA’s social justice initiatives

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, right, talks with Kyle Lowry (7) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse says the idea of a boycott “is on the table” after players from his team and the Boston Celtics met Tuesday night in advance of their NBA playoff series. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo
FILE – Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) passes the ball over San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) and forward Rudy Gay (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Raptors lament absence of ‘best fans in the NBA’ ahead of playoffs

The coronavirus forced the NBA playoffs into a so-called bubble at Walt Disney World

FILE – Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) passes the ball over San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) and forward Rudy Gay (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Players kneel before an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

Raptors kneel for both American and Canadian anthems ahead of tipoff

Majority of players have substituted their names on the backs of their jerseys with racial and social justice messages

Players kneel before an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
A server pulls a pint of beer at Station Sports bar in Montreal, Saturday, July 25, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Return of baseball, basketball brings customers back to sports bars

Sergakis said bars will need government help to get through the coming months to avoid major closures in Montreal

A server pulls a pint of beer at Station Sports bar in Montreal, Saturday, July 25, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse directs play from courtside during first half NBA basketball action against the Brooklyn Nets, in Toronto, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. Nurse wasn’t sure to expect from his players after nearly four months off, but the Toronto Raptors coach said they “look fantastic,” particularly the “chiseled Marc” Gasol. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Raptors coach Nurse says despite layoff, his players ‘look fantastic’

Many players said it’s been the longest they’ve gone without playing

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse directs play from courtside during first half NBA basketball action against the Brooklyn Nets, in Toronto, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. Nurse wasn’t sure to expect from his players after nearly four months off, but the Toronto Raptors coach said they “look fantastic,” particularly the “chiseled Marc” Gasol. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
The NBA season will resume on July 30, 2020 at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Florida. (The Canadian Press)

The NBA is coming back, and here’s 10 things to know

For the first time in eight seasons, the league record for total 3-pointers made won’t get broken

The NBA season will resume on July 30, 2020 at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Florida. (The Canadian Press)
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri speaks in Toronto, Friday, July 20, 2018. Ujiri says conversations about racism can no longer be avoided in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the protests around the United States that have followed.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch

Toronto Raptors’ Ujiri says conversations about racism can no longer be avoided

Thousands have protested Floyd’s death and repeated police killings of black men across the United States

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri speaks in Toronto, Friday, July 20, 2018. Ujiri says conversations about racism can no longer be avoided in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the protests around the United States that have followed.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch
NBA Horse Challenge. (Photo - SBNation)

First-ever NBA Horse Challenge connects athletes virtually during pandemic

A number of NBA and WNBA stars go head to head while donating to State Farm charity

NBA Horse Challenge. (Photo - SBNation)
Toronto Raptors centre Serge Ibaka (9) shoots as Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert, left, defends In the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2020, in Salt Lake City. All Toronto Raptors players, coaches and travelling staff have been advised to go into self-isolation for 14 days. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Rick Bowmer

Toronto Raptors players, staff advised to go into self-isolation

The 14-day isolation comes after a Utah player, reportedly centre Rudy Gobert, tested positive for the virus

Toronto Raptors centre Serge Ibaka (9) shoots as Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert, left, defends In the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2020, in Salt Lake City. All Toronto Raptors players, coaches and travelling staff have been advised to go into self-isolation for 14 days. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Rick Bowmer
The NBA is suspending its season after Wednesday night’s games until further notice because of the coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
The NBA is suspending its season after Wednesday night’s games until further notice because of the coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
Vanessa Bryant speaks during a celebration of life for her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

PHOTOS: Los Angeles honours Kobe Bryant and daughter with public memorial

Mourners included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan

Vanessa Bryant speaks during a celebration of life for her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, left, drives past Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

VIDEO: Kawhi Leonard wins first Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP award

Leonard scored 30 points and hit eight 3-pointers to lead Team LeBron to a 157-155 victory

Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, left, drives past Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Want to #throwitback? Coors Light releases old-school Toronto Raptors beer cans

Want to #throwitback? Coors Light releases old-school Toronto Raptors beer cans

The Raptors became the first Canadian team to win the NBA championship

Want to #throwitback? Coors Light releases old-school Toronto Raptors beer cans
Fans pay their respect at a memorial for Kobe Bryant near Staples Center Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, in Los Angeles. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Watch out for scams, clickbait in the wake of Kobe Bryant’s death: Better Business Bureau

Kobe Bryant and his daughter were killed in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles

Fans pay their respect at a memorial for Kobe Bryant near Staples Center Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, in Los Angeles. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
FILE - In this Wednesday, March 24, 2004, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, center, walks out of a holding area as he prepares to leave for a lunch break from proceedings in his sexual assault case as members of his security team accompany him, in Eagle, Colo. Some argued that there was no need to dredge up accounts of the 2003 rape allegation against Bryant when he died suddenly Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Others viewed it as another example of an icon being given a pass because he was a successful athlete. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File)

In #MeToo era, Kobe and other athletes often get a pass

A 19-year-old hotel employee accused Bryant of rape in 2003

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 24, 2004, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, center, walks out of a holding area as he prepares to leave for a lunch break from proceedings in his sexual assault case as members of his security team accompany him, in Eagle, Colo. Some argued that there was no need to dredge up accounts of the 2003 rape allegation against Bryant when he died suddenly Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Others viewed it as another example of an icon being given a pass because he was a successful athlete. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File)
BC Place was lit up purple and yellow on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, to honour the memory of former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant. (julliantadena/Reddit)

BC Place lights up in purple and yellow to honour Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash

BC Place was lit up purple and yellow on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, to honour the memory of former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant. (julliantadena/Reddit)
VIDEO: Music stars pay tribute to Kobe Bryant at Grammys award show

VIDEO: Music stars pay tribute to Kobe Bryant at Grammys award show

Music artists including Billy Ray Cyrus, Rick Ross and Kirk Franklin paid tribute to Bryant

VIDEO: Music stars pay tribute to Kobe Bryant at Grammys award show
A helicopter went down in Los Angeles County in California on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (LHSLASD/Twitter)

Kobe Bryant, daughter killed in California helicopter crash

Bryant entered the NBA draft straight out of high school in 1996

A helicopter went down in Los Angeles County in California on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (LHSLASD/Twitter)