Report: NBA telling teams to prepare for impact of verdict in Derek Chauvin trial

The NBA has reportedly told 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," according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. This includes the possibility of game postponements.

"The looming specter of possible protests, civil unrest and team reactions in the aftermath of a court verdict has the league office preparing for the prospect that a night or two of league games could be halted this week," Wojnarowski adds. 

Final arguments in the Chauvin trial are expected on Monday. The former Minneapolis police officer knelt on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes last May. Chauvin has plead not guilty to second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges.

If games are postponed, this won't be the first time the NBA has decided to call off games related to social justice issues. The Minnesota Timberwolves recently postponed their game against the Brooklyn Nets after the police shooting of Daunte Wright in Minneapolis. 

The NBA also postponed playoff games last season after Jacob Blake was shot in Wisconsin.