Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6997890/2026/01/26/minnesota-ice-federal-agents-protestors-nba-game/?source=user\_shared\_article

“It’s kind of nice to come and try to forget everything for a couple of hours, because otherwise you’re confronted with it all of the time,” said Roger, a longtime season ticket holder, who spoke on condition that The Athletic only use his first name, given the hostile climate.

Did it feel like a real game?

“Not really,” he said.

As soon as the game begins, something just feels … off.

“Honestly what I felt is their group was suffering,” Kerr said. “The vibe in the stands, it was one of the most bizarre, sad games I’ve ever been a part of.”

One Timberwolves employee walked the concourse at halftime and said he couldn’t muster the energy to show the same enthusiasm he normally has.

“Nothing feels right,” the employee said. “Our hearts aren’t in it.”

And while there were a few chants and a sign here or there against ICE, the atmosphere did not feel charged. It felt like a gathering of people who, collectively, needed a break.

26 comments

  3. It’s really sad. I can’t help but think about the children who are scared and staying out of school because it’s too dangerous, children and families disappeared like nothing. The parent who has to explain what racism to their young child, and the 5 year olds who have to wonder if they’re going to get arrested next. Breaks my heart.

  4. I fear I’d get banned if I said what I truly hope happens these jackbooted thugs, so instead I’ll quote a post I saw a few days ago:

    > There is going to come a time in your life when you are chatting with a guy, at a barbecue or something, a new coworker maybe, a dad at school drop off, and he tells you he used to be in ICE. You’re going to need to spit on that guy

  5. Sports have always done these two things:
    1. Brought people together
    2. Provide entertainment or an escape

    Its the beauty of the game.

  6. It’s a city tired from protesting against people who were supposed to be here to protect them.

    A US Citizen was shot in cold blood to assist another person and this city has to look at radicals on social media try to JUSTIFY why these federal agents were right to shoot him on his hands and knees.

    There’s no way anyone would feel safe from that, no matter what country you’re from.

    Exhaustion probably doesn’t even remotely describe what they’re feeling.

  7. The team was so distraught about the death of what’s-his-face they got blown out

  9. This sentiment really tracks with what Steve Kerr said in the post game interview last night.

  10. I really don’t think it’s possible for people to truly understand what it’s like living here right now. However bad you think it is, it’s worse in every single way – and in 1000 other ways too, ones which you’d never dreamed you’d have to consider.

    I think all of us Minnesotans, by now, understand that the Trump regime being successful in Minnesota truly means the death of our democratic republic.

  11. I watched the game and my thought throughout was “what the hell is wrong with the Wolves” and didn’t realize until afterwards how much these recent events would impact the players and coaches. My heart breaks for the Minneapolis community having to live and fight through this.

  12. I bet that same season ticket holder was ok with the Charlie Kirk moment of silence the nfl had

  14. Yeah, the game just felt awful to watch. Timbs just weren’t in it. Hope it’s a bit better tonight, though

  15. No rest for the weary. The same teams play in Minneapolis tonight. Vegas thinks the Wolves are past it, they are favored over the Warriors by 7.5. It is said that AI sets all the lines these days, however, recognizing emotional exhaustion might be a weakness

  21. My wife and I had tickets to the game and just ended up skipping it. It’s definitely hard to get excited about something like being at a game right now. Just a sad and scary time here.

  22. I just saw another video of a woman getting shot by low impact rounds writhing in pain as an armored car drove down the street

    This is a city and a state under occupation and being forced into submission so that the president can forcibly steal private voter data and remain in power. Basketball is just not on the minds of anyone right now

  23. Bracing for Boston to be targeted next. Already exhausted and it hasn’t even happened yet, can’t imagine how they feel in Minny. Been to a bunch of protests and can’t help feel like they do nothing. 

    It must be really hard for the players to concentrate when it takes so much physical and mental energy even without the cloud above. You can legit get some kind of ptsd by just watching videos, but to see it happen in front of you… This only ends when they are ran out of every fucking city, healing can’t happen before.

  24. To think that all of this happened because America is scared of a woman in charge, and had to vote for the guy who caused all this. I don’t understand you guys.

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