Stephen Jackson is imploring NBA players to NOT return to action this season ... saying a basketball comeback would hurt the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight for social justice.
"Now ain't the time to be playing basketball, ya'll," the former NBA star said. "Now ain't the time."
Jackson was friends with George Floyd and has become a very influential voice in the media since Floyd was killed.
"Playing basketball is going to do one thing: Take all the attention off the task at hand right now and what we fighting for.