Friday’s “ICE Out” rally in downtown Minneapolis was more than just a protest-it was a moment. A massive crowd marched through the city, ending at the Target Center, where so many people showed up that the arena couldn’t hold them all. It was a powerful display of unity and frustration, and it set the tone for a weekend that would become even more emotionally charged.
On Saturday, that tension escalated with the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by a federal officer. The news sent shockwaves through the city and beyond, igniting even larger protests and a wave of grief that’s still rippling through Minnesota. The NBA responded quickly, postponing the Timberwolves’ home game scheduled for that night-a decision that felt both necessary and respectful.
When the Timberwolves and Warriors finally took the floor on Sunday, it was clear that basketball was secondary. “One of the most bizarre, sad games I’ve ever been a part of,” is how Warriors head coach Steve Kerr described it afterward.
And he wasn’t wrong. Minnesota looked emotionally drained, managing just 85 points-their first time scoring under 100 all season.
The Warriors cruised to an easy win, but no one was celebrating. The game felt like a placeholder, a quiet interlude in a city overwhelmed by grief.
By Monday night, the two teams were back at it again, but the atmosphere at the Target Center was still heavy. Fans and players alike described it as “quiet,” “weird,” even “somber.” But amidst the weight of it all, there were signs of life-signs that the Timberwolves, and maybe the city, were beginning to find their footing again.
Minnesota came out flat, still visibly affected by everything happening off the court. But then Bones Hyland checked in, and something shifted.
His energy off the bench sparked the team, and suddenly there was a little more fight in the Wolves. Hyland dropped 17, Julius Randle added 18, and Minnesota snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over a shorthanded Warriors squad.
In the grand scheme of things, it was just one win. But for this team and this city, it meant something more.
“It’s a lot, a lot…” Rudy Gobert said after the game, speaking with Peacock. “We are here doing what we love, give people joy and distract them from the bad things that are happening.
That’s all we can do. Stay safe, send love to the people that are affected, and keep doing what we do.
Try to lead by example. People need some joy in these times.”
And that’s what Monday night felt like-a small injection of joy in a city that desperately needed it.
But the pain is still raw. The protests haven’t stopped.
The chants of “F*** ICE” echoed through the arena, even during a moment of silence for Pretti. The Timberwolves’ trampoline dunk team wore “ICE OUT” shirts.
Fans held up “ICE Out Now!” signs during breaks in play, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
The message was clear: this city is hurting, and it’s not staying silent.
Players across the league are speaking out, too. Karl-Anthony Towns, a former face of the franchise, took to social media to call for accountability and transparency.
His words struck a chord-this isn’t just about basketball. It’s about people.
It’s about community.
Stephen Curry, always thoughtful in moments like these, reflected on the weekend’s events after Sunday’s game. “There’s a lot of change that needs to happen, and when you’re here, you feel it,” he said.
“It was amazing to watch the turnout and the peaceful protests and the unified voice that was there. You feel that would kind of turn the tide into a more positive direction … and then you wake up and see what happened.”
WNBA star Breanna Stewart also added her voice, using her platform during an Unrivaled game in Miami to call for change. “We’re so fueled by hate right now instead of love,” she said. “When human lives are at stake, it’s bigger than anything else.”
Even Larry Nance Jr. made a quiet but powerful statement, wearing a message on his shirt before the Cavs game. Around the league, players are showing that this moment matters-that they see what’s happening and are choosing to speak up.
Back in Minneapolis, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch didn’t hold back when addressing the media Sunday. “For the second time in less than three weeks, we’ve lost another beloved member of our community in the most unimaginable way,” he said.
“As an organization, we are heartbroken for what we are having to witness and endure and watch… I’m more than a resident. This is my home.
I love living here. I love being a part of this community.”
Finch’s words echoed the emotions of so many in the Twin Cities. This is a place full of pride and resilience, but it’s also a community in pain. The Timberwolves, like their city, are trying to find a way forward-one game, one moment, one small spark at a time.
Monday’s win won’t fix everything. But maybe it was a step toward something better. A moment of joy, a flicker of hope, and a reminder that even in the darkest times, this game can still bring people together.