Timberwolves-Warriors Game Postponed After Tragic Shooting in Minneapolis: Teams Stand with Community
In a moment that transcended basketball, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors made the collective decision to postpone their Saturday matchup at Target Center following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in south Minneapolis. The incident, which occurred during an immigration operation, sent shockwaves through the city and left both organizations grappling with the weight of the tragedy.
The game was rescheduled for Sunday, but the emotional toll was still fresh. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch opened his pregame availability with a heartfelt statement, visibly moved as he addressed the media just hours before tip-off.
“For the second time in less than three weeks, we’ve lost another beloved member of our community in the most unimaginable way,” Finch said, his voice cracking with emotion. “As an organization, we’re heartbroken for what we are having to witness and endure and watch.”
Finch made it clear that the decision to postpone wasn’t made lightly-but it was the only one that felt right. After speaking directly with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, the two agreed that stepping onto the court amid such grief didn’t align with the values they wanted to uphold.
“We just want to extend our thoughts, prayers and concern for Mr. Pretti and his family, all the loved ones, and everyone involved in such an unconscionable situation,” Finch continued.
“This is a community we really love, full of people who are by nature peaceful and prideful. Playing basketball yesterday just didn’t feel like the right thing to do.”
Kerr, who has never shied away from speaking on social issues, echoed Finch’s sentiments. The Warriors were at their downtown Minneapolis hotel Friday night when they witnessed thousands of people marching in protest against ICE. The unrest was palpable, and Kerr said the team leaned heavily on the Timberwolves for guidance.
“I got a call from Finch during our coach’s meeting,” Kerr recalled. “We talked, and I told him we didn’t have a great sense of anything.
We were really going to lean on them-it’s their city. All their players were feeling really uneasy about everything.
I totally agree with the decision. Everything should be about safety and concern for everybody here in Minneapolis with what’s going on.”
Kerr didn’t hold back on the emotional impact the situation has had-not just on the teams, but on the city as a whole.
“It’s very sad. I love the city of Minneapolis,” he said.
“There’s a pall that has been cast over the city, you can feel it. A lot of people are suffering.
Those families will never get their family members back. When all the unrest settles down, those family members won’t be returning home, and that’s devastating.”
He went on to reflect on the broader implications of moments like these, urging a return to shared values and compassion in a time of national division.
“My concern as an American-we’re not perfect, we never have been,” Kerr said. “But I think our ideals have been in the right place for a long time. No matter what side of the aisle you stand on, remembering the values that come with the Constitution, that come with citizenship, the values of looking after each other-those are so important right now.”
Kerr’s message was clear: the current climate of anger and extremism is pulling people apart, and it’s in moments like this that unity and empathy matter most.
“People are so angry,” he said. “There should be an appeal to our better angels to look after one another and recognize what’s happening.
We’re being divided. In times like these, you have to lean on values and who you are and who you want to be.
That’s what’s so sad about all this-we’re at each other’s throats right now.”
In the end, the decision to postpone the game wasn’t just about basketball-it was about people. About a city in mourning. About players and coaches who understand that sometimes, the most powerful statement you can make is to stop, reflect, and stand with your community.