The NBA has officially postponed Saturday’s matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors following a tragic incident in South Minneapolis, where federal agents shot and killed a local man, 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti. The league cited community safety and security as the primary reasons for the decision, underscoring the emotional weight currently hanging over the city.
This marks the second fatal shooting involving federal officials in Minneapolis in just over two weeks. Back on January 7, Renee Nicole Good was killed near her home in South Minneapolis.
The following night, the Timberwolves honored her memory with a moment of silence before their game against the Cavaliers. Now, with another life lost and tensions in the city rising, the league has opted to pause, giving space for the community to process and respond.
Minneapolis has been at the center of growing protests in recent weeks, and Friday saw one of the largest demonstrations yet. Tens of thousands braved freezing temperatures to march through downtown, voicing opposition to the continued presence of U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The march began outside U.S.
Bank Stadium and concluded at Target Center-home of the Timberwolves-where an hour-long program featured local leaders and immigrants sharing personal stories about their experiences with ICE.
In the wake of Saturday morning’s events, neither the Timberwolves nor the Warriors have issued individual statements beyond the NBA’s official release. However, both teams are expected to speak to the media prior to Sunday’s rescheduled game.
That game is now set for Sunday at 4:30 PM CT, with the two teams set to face off again on Monday at 8:30 PM CT. While the games will go on, the emotional backdrop in Minneapolis is impossible to ignore. The NBA’s decision to postpone wasn’t just about logistics-it was about recognizing a moment that’s bigger than basketball.