The NBA postponed the Minnesota Timberwolves' game against the Golden State Warriors following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents, rescheduling it amid citywide protests. Fans and players sought normalcy at Target Center, but the atmosphere remained heavy with grief and division. The Warriors won 111-85 in a lackluster contest marked by turnovers and muted energy.
In Minneapolis, a city gripped by tension over federal immigration enforcement, the NBA's decision to postpone the Timberwolves' home game against the Warriors underscored the broader unrest. Federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti on Saturday morning, the second such incident in Minnesota this month after Renee Good's death on January 7. Protests erupted, including a metro-wide general strike on Friday that shuttered businesses and drew thousands of marchers in freezing temperatures.
The league moved the game to Sunday for safety reasons, citing strained police and medical resources. At Target Center, nearly 19,000 fans gathered, holding signs protesting ICE and observing a moment of silence for Pretti, interrupted by chants of "F–k ICE!" Timberwolves coach Chris Finch expressed condolences, his voice trembling: "It’s sad to watch what is happening... it’s just hard to watch what we’re going through." Warriors coach Steve Kerr lamented national divisions: "What’s so sad about all this is we’re at each other’s throats right now... in this current climate of nonstop news flooding at us."
On the court, the Timberwolves struggled, falling behind early with 16 turnovers in the first half. Anthony Edwards scored efficiently but committed eight turnovers, while Julius Randle shot 3-of-11. The Warriors pulled away for a 111-85 victory, their third win in four games. Fans like season ticket holder Roger described the night as feeling "off," a brief escape overshadowed by the city's pain. As one employee noted, "Nothing feels right. Our hearts aren’t in it."
The game offered a fleeting sense of community amid polarization, with attendees from varied backgrounds united in support of the team. Yet, the loss highlighted the Timberwolves' five-game skid, their playoff hopes dimming further. Outside, the cold persisted, and so did the uncertainty.
