In the wake of a turbulent week in Minneapolis, the Golden State Warriors returned to the court and delivered a dominant 111-85 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. But even with a strong performance on the hardwood, the focus wasn’t on basketball-it was on the city still reeling from the killing of Alex Pretti and the unrest that’s followed.
Stephen Curry, who led the Warriors with 26 points, didn’t shy away from addressing the gravity of the moment. After the game, he spoke with heartfelt clarity about the protests that have taken over the streets of Minneapolis, praising the resilience of those showing up in brutal winter conditions to demand justice.
“In negative 10-degree weather, it was beautiful to see that turnout,” Curry said. “Speaks to how important it felt to those people to have their voice heard... They were out, and it was amazing to watch.”
Minneapolis has been in a state of emotional upheaval following the fatal shooting of Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, by federal immigration agents. The incident, which occurred when agents surrounded Pretti and shot him ten times, has sparked widespread outrage.
Just weeks earlier, another fatal shooting-this time of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was killed while driving away from ICE officers-further intensified the city’s unrest. That moment, captured on video, helped ignite a state-wide general strike.
Curry, who has long used his platform to speak out on social issues, acknowledged the weight of what the city is enduring. “There’s a lot of heavy hearts,” he said.
“Yesterday was rough. It’s been rough, I know out here… It was amazing to watch the turnout, the peaceful protest, and the unified voice that was here.
And you feel like that would kind of turn the tide into a more positive direction.”
This isn’t new territory for Curry. Back in 2020, he marched in Black Lives Matter protests in Oakland and Palo Alto. In 2023, the league honored him with the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award-recognition of his continued commitment to using his voice beyond basketball.
The NBA had initially postponed the Warriors-Timberwolves game out of respect for the situation and the players’ unease. In the hours leading up to the original tip-off, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr spoke with Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and veteran Joe Ingles. Both expressed that playing under such circumstances didn’t sit right with them.
When the game was finally played, the emotional weight was still palpable. The Target Center felt subdued, and the usual energy of an NBA matchup was replaced by a quiet, reflective atmosphere.
“I thought the vibe in the stands, it was one of the most bizarre, sad games I’ve been a part of,” Kerr said postgame. “You could feel the somber atmosphere… We could tell [the Timberwolves] were struggling with everything that’s been going on, what the city has been through.”
On the court, the Warriors were sharp. They forced 26 turnovers and controlled the tempo from the opening tip. But even with the lopsided final score, the game felt secondary to the moment.
Curry, in his postgame remarks, made it clear that his mind-and heart-were still with the community.
“There’s a lot of change that needs to happen,” he said. “And when you’re here, and you feel it… I was glued to the TV yesterday when we weren’t playing.
Just watching the coverage and understanding what was going on and trying to really get knowledgeable about it. Hopefully, again, the community kind of comes together, and the right decisions are made so that there’s more of a peaceful environment here.”
The Warriors and Timberwolves will meet again tomorrow in a back-to-back rematch. But with so much happening beyond the court, it’s clear that this series-and this moment-extends far beyond basketball.