The NBA has postponed Saturday's game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors at Target Center following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man by federal agents in Minneapolis. The league cited community safety concerns amid ongoing protests against federal immigration enforcement. The matchup has been rescheduled for Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
The National Basketball Association announced the postponement of its Saturday evening game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors, originally set for 5:30 p.m. ET at Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. The decision came hours after federal agents fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and union member, near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street in south Minneapolis around 9:15 a.m. local time. Pretti, identified by his family as an American citizen and lawful gun owner with a permit to carry, was confronted during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which has swelled federal forces to about 3,000 officers in the Twin Cities area.
"The decision was made to prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community," the NBA stated. This marks the second fatal shooting involving federal agents in the city within less than a month, following the January 7 death of 37-year-old Renee Good, which sparked weeks of protests, including a large march downtown on Friday amid subzero temperatures. The latest incident has fueled further demonstrations, with the Minnesota National Guard assisting local police to manage growing crowds near the shooting site, less than two miles from the arena.
The rescheduling turns the series into back-to-back games for the teams, with another matchup planned for Monday night. The Timberwolves organization recommended the delay to league officials, citing the need to process events and enhance security, while avoiding strain on city police and medical resources. The Minnesota Twins ended their annual winter fan festival early for guest safety, but the Minnesota Wild's game in nearby St. Paul proceeded as scheduled. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and president Tim Connelly communicated with players throughout the day, and guard Jaylen Clark shared a video of the shooting on Instagram, captioning it "Sick world man."
Protests have intensified against the federal presence, with hundreds of businesses closing Friday in a general strike and schools shutting down. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz deployed the National Guard to restore order, highlighting tensions in the community.
