The NBA has advised teams to prepare for the Derek Chauvin trial verdict, sources told ESPN, as cities across the US brace for possible protests and civil unrest.
Closing arguments in the case begin on Monday, and a jury decision could come as soon as this week.
ESPN Sources: The NBA has instructed teams to be vigilant about the impact of a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial for the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis this week, including the possibility of game postponements: https://t.co/Fret5G0Lxi
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 18, 2021
Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.
Floyd was detained outside a store for allegedly trying to use a counterfeit $20 bill.
Chauvin was recorded on a cell phone kneeling on the 46-year-old Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes while a crowd of onlookers pleaded for the officer to stop.
The league had previously canceled or rescheduled games in the wake of civil unrest as recently as last week.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets canceled their game when Minneapolis announced a curfew after 20-year-old Daunte Wright was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop.
The Timberwolves are currently on a seven-game Western Conference road trip.
The NBA and WNBA canceled games last summer after the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic boycotted a playoff game when Jacob Blake was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The NBA began taking an active and visible stance on social justice issues and civil unrest when players began demanding action as protests took over city streets throughout the US last year.
Some players even traveled as far as the Vatican to have their concerns heard.