Warriors-Timberwolves Game Postponed Amid Tensions in Minneapolis Following Federal Shooting
MINNEAPOLIS - What was supposed to be a Saturday afternoon showdown between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center turned into something far more serious - and somber. The NBA postponed the game following a fatal shooting earlier in the day involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, marking another flashpoint in a city already on edge.
The league announced the game would be pushed back to Sunday, with tipoff now scheduled for 2:30 p.m. PST. In a statement, the NBA said the decision was made “to prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community.”
The Warriors, who are in town for a two-game set, deferred to the league’s statement and did not issue additional comments.
But the context surrounding the postponement goes far beyond basketball.
Earlier Saturday, a man was shot and killed by a federal border patrol officer in Minneapolis. This incident came less than three weeks after Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by a federal officer during a protest on January 7. The back-to-back tragedies have intensified scrutiny on the federal presence in the city and sparked widespread demonstrations.
On Friday, thousands of protesters filled the streets of Minneapolis, voicing outrage over what they see as an increasingly aggressive and unaccountable federal law enforcement operation. That tension remained palpable into Saturday morning, even as the area around Target Center stood eerily quiet in sub-zero temperatures - a stark contrast to the packed streets just 24 hours prior.
According to reporting from The Athletic, it was Timberwolves players who initiated the conversation with the league about postponing the game. The team reportedly expressed a need for more time - both to process the events of the last 24 hours and to ensure appropriate safety measures could be put in place should demonstrations occur near the arena.
The NBA has faced similar moments before, where real-world events have collided with the schedule. In 2020, the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted a playoff game following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin, prompting a league-wide pause. And back in 1992, amid the Rodney King riots, the Lakers were forced to relocate a playoff game to Las Vegas.
This weekend’s events are now part of that history - a reminder that the league, its players, and its fans don’t exist in a vacuum. The hardwood may be a place for competition, but the world outside the arena walls doesn’t always stay there.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz didn’t mince words in his public response to Saturday’s shooting. “Minnesota has had it,” he posted on X.
“This is sickening. The President must end this operation.
Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who has never shied away from speaking on social issues, also weighed in following the earlier shooting of Renee Nicole Good. Kerr criticized the federal response and the lack of accountability in such cases.
“It’s shameful, really, that in our country, we can have law enforcement officers who commit murder and seemingly get away with it,” Kerr said. “It’s shameful that the government can come out and lie about what happened when there’s video and witnesses who have all come out and disputed what the government is saying.”
Kerr is expected to speak again on Sunday at 1 p.m. PST, ahead of the rescheduled game.
While no Warriors players have publicly commented on Saturday’s developments, the NBA community is already reacting. On ESPN’s pregame show, Charles Barkley called for leadership and restraint amid the chaos.
“Somebody’s gotta step up and be adults,” Barkley said. “Two people have died for no reason, and it’s just sad.”
The Warriors are still scheduled to play a second game in Minneapolis on Monday, but for now, the focus has shifted from basketball to the broader issues gripping the city - and the nation.