The NBA has officially postponed Saturday’s game between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis, citing concerns for community safety following a fatal shooting involving federal agents earlier in the day.
The league’s decision wasn’t made lightly. In a statement, the NBA said the move was to “prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community” after an incident that has drawn significant attention in the city.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that its agents were involved in the shooting, which resulted in the death of a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident.
According to local authorities, the individual did not have a serious criminal history.
This marks the second fatal shooting in the city this month involving federal immigration agents. The earlier incident occurred on January 7 and involved the death of Renee Good. The latest event has understandably heightened tensions in the area, prompting the league to act swiftly out of caution and respect for the evolving situation.
As for the game itself, it’s been rescheduled for Sunday at 4:30 p.m. CT at the Target Center.
That adjustment now creates a back-to-back for both teams, who are also scheduled to face off again Monday night in the same building. Back-to-backs are never ideal, especially in the thick of the regular season when every game matters and recovery time is at a premium.
But given the circumstances, the league is clearly prioritizing safety over scheduling convenience - and rightly so.
This is the first time the NBA has postponed a game since January 9, 2025, when wildfires in Los Angeles forced the postponement of a matchup between the Hornets and Lakers. That game was eventually played more than a month later, on February 19.
For now, the focus shifts to ensuring the safety of the Minneapolis community while both teams adjust to a quick turnaround. The rescheduled game on Sunday will now carry a bit more weight - not just in the standings, but in the context of a city processing a very real and very serious moment.