{"id":562741,"date":"2026-01-26T22:06:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T22:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/562741\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T22:06:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T22:06:20","slug":"sports-world-reacts-after-alex-pretti-killed-by-federal-officer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/562741\/","title":{"rendered":"Sports world reacts after Alex Pretti killed by federal officer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Minnesota Timberwolves returned to the court Sunday a day after postponing their home game<\/a> against the Golden State Warriors following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti<\/a> by a federal officer in Minneapolis the previous day.<\/p>\n

But it was anything but business as usual for everyone involved.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the second time in less than three weeks, we\u2019ve lost another beloved member of our community in the most unimaginable way,\u201d Timberwolves coach Chris Finch<\/a> told reporters before the game. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs an organization, we are heartbroken for what we are having to witness and endure and watch, and we just want to extend our thoughts, prayers and concern for Mr. Pretti, his family, all the loved ones and everyone involved in such an unconscionable situation in a community that we really love, full of people who are by nature, peaceful and prideful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security launched a massive immigration crackdown in Minnesota<\/a>. That action has led to mass protests and conflicts between federal agents and local residents.<\/p>\n

Minneapolis resident Renee Good<\/a>, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed behind the wheel of her car Jan. 7 by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Pretti, an intensive care nurse, died Saturday after being shot by a Border Patrol officer during an immigration enforcement operation. Both Good and Petri were U.S. citizens.<\/p>\n

Finch said Sunday that the previous day\u2019s game was postponed because \u201cplaying basketball just didn\u2019t feel like the right thing to do.\u201d The Timberwolves are scheduled to host Golden State again Monday night at Target Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my home, and I love living here,\u201d said Finch, who was hired by the Timberwolves in February 2021. \u201cI love being a part of this community, been embraced from Day One, people have been amazing. And it\u2019s just sad to watch what is happening, you know, on the human level, certainly, as somebody who takes great pride being here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Sunday\u2019s game at Target Center, a moment of silence<\/a> was held \u201chonoring the life and memory of Alex Pretti.\u201d The actual silence lasted about five seconds before members of the crowd started shouting expletives directed toward ICE.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The video board at Target Center shows a photo of Alex Pretti during a moment of silence before the Golden State Warriors-Minnesota Timberwolves game on Jan. 25.<\/p>\n

(David Berding \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Some fans held signs reading \u201cICE Out Now,\u201d while some members of a trampoline dunk team providing in-game entertainment wore shirts that echoed the sentiment. <\/a> <\/p>\n

The game itself ended up being a blowout loss for the Timberwolves.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, what I felt was that their group was suffering,\u201d Warriors coach Steve Kerr said<\/a> after his team\u2019s 111-85 victory. \u201cI thought the vibe in the stands, it was one of the most bizarre, sad games I\u2019ve ever been a part of. You could feel in the somber atmosphere, their team, we could tell they were struggling with everything that\u2019s been going on and what the city has been through. It was very sad. It was a sad night. <\/p>\n

\u201cObviously we got the win and we\u2019re happy about that, but very difficult to see so many people struggling and sad. They came to the game to try to forget about stuff, I guess, but I don\u2019t think anything went away for the city and for their team. I think they were suffering from the effects of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Warriors star Stephen Curry<\/a> said he could sense \u201ca lot of heavy hearts\u201d in and around the arena.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of change that needs to happen,\u201d Curry told reporters<\/a> after the game. \u201cAnd when you\u2019re here and you feel it \u2014 I was glued to the TV yesterday when we weren\u2019t playing, just watching the coverage and understanding what was going on, and trying to really, you know, get knowledgeable about it. Hopefully, again, the community kind of comes together and the right decisions are made so that there\u2019s more of a peaceful environment here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards<\/a> said after the game: \u201cI just love Minnesota, all the love and support that they show me. So I\u2019m behind whatever they\u2019re with. Me and my family are definitely praying for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Teammate Julius Randle<\/a> added: \u201cBeen nothing but a joy living here, so things like this happening in the community, it\u2019s tough.\u201d<\/p>\n

The NBA Players Assn. released a statement Sunday saying that \u201cNBA players can no longer remain silent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice,\u201d the union wrote<\/a>. \u201cThe fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton<\/a> spoke out Saturday with a four-word post on X<\/a>: \u201cAlex Pretti was murdered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a>, who played his first nine seasons with the Timberwolves before being traded to the Knicks in 2024, also expressed himself on X.<\/p>\n

1\/7 <\/p>\n

Crowds of onlookers gather after federal agents allegedly shot a protester amid a scuffle to arrest him on Saturday in Minneapolis. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region.\u00a0 (Stephen Maturen \/ Getty Images) <\/p>\n

2\/7 <\/p>\n

Residents sit near a makeshift blockade at the scene of a shooting by a federal law enforcement agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.\u00a0 (Jaida Grey Eagle \/ Bloomberg via Getty Images) <\/p>\n

3\/7 <\/p>\n

Federal agents point weapons amid tear gas fired at protesters on Saturday in Minneapolis. \u00a0 (Stephen Maturen \/ Getty Images) <\/p>\n

4\/7 <\/p>\n

A protester wears a gas mask as demonstrators gather near the site of where state and local authorities say a man was shot by federal agents earlier Saturday morning in Minneapolis\u00a0 (Roberto Schmidt \/ AFP via Getty Images) <\/p>\n

5\/7 <\/p>\n

Federal immigration officers deploy pepper spray at observers after a shooting Saturday in Minneapolis.\u00a0 (Abbie Parr \/ Associated Press) <\/p>\n

6\/7 <\/p>\n

A person is tackled by federal agents amid protests following a shooting on Saturday in Minneapolis. Federal agents allegedly shot and killed a protester amid a scuffle to arrest him. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region.\u00a0 (Brandon Bell \/ Getty Images) <\/p>\n

7\/7 <\/p>\n

A federal agent points a weapon at a protester after agents allegedly shot a protester amid a scuffle to arrest him on Saturday in Minneapolis.\u00a0 (Brandon Bell\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is happening in the Twin Cities and the Great North Star State is heartbreaking to witness,\u201d Towns wrote<\/a>. \u201cThese events have cost lives and shaken families \u2014 and we must call for accountability, transparency, and protections for all people. This moment demands that we reflect honestly on what our values truly are. My thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. I stand with the people of Minnesota.\u201d<\/p>\n

NBA legend Charles Barkley<\/a> offered his take Saturday on ESPN.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s scary. It\u2019s sad,\u201d Barkley said<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s gonna end bad \u2014 it\u2019s already ended badly twice. Somebody\u2019s got to step up and be adults because, man, two people have died for no reason and it\u2019s just sad.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Sunday, WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart<\/a> held a sign that read \u201cAbolish ICE<\/a>\u201d during player introductions at an Unrivaled league game in Florida.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re so fueled by hate right now instead of love, so I wanted to kind of have a simple message of abolish ICE, which means having policies to uplift families and communities instead of fueling fear and violence,\u201d Stewart said after the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that when human lives are at stake, it\u2019s bigger than anything else. So to have that simple message before the game was important to me. And knowing that everyone here is feeling that way, one way or another, it was just a perfect time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CEOs of several Minnesota professional sports teams \u2014 including the Timberwolves, the WNBA\u2019s Lynx, the NFL\u2019s Vikings, the NHL\u2019s Wild and the MLS\u2019s United \u2014 were among the leaders of numerous local companies who signed a statement released Sunday by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith yesterday\u2019s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,\u201d the statement read<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some players from those teams have offered their own opinions. Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern wrote Saturday on X<\/a>: \u201cIt\u2019s not right what\u2019s happening in Minnesota.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman wrote<\/a> on her Instagram Story: \u201cI\u2019m heartbroken to see ICE has flipped the city upside down and resorted to violence. There is no place for this. As hard as it may be I HOPE we continue to stand together and fight for what is right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Teammate Napheesa Collier reposted a statement from Barack Obama<\/a>, who called Pretti\u2019s killing a \u201cheartbreaking tragedy\u201d that \u201cshould also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Associated Press contributed to this report.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Minnesota Timberwolves returned to the court Sunday a day after postponing their home game against the Golden…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":562742,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3782],"tags":[76286,7,8290,76628,173,4169,1735,4431,5580,307,152,3954,6,6564,9665,1163,76629,396,308],"class_list":["post-562741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-minnesota-timberwolves","tag-alex-pretti","tag-basketball","tag-community","tag-court-sunday","tag-day","tag-family","tag-home-game","tag-ice","tag-life","tag-minnesota","tag-minnesota-timberwolves","tag-minnesotatimberwolves","tag-nba","tag-nba-player","tag-people","tag-saturday","tag-statement-sunday","tag-team","tag-timberwolves"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/115963677739989411","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/562741","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=562741"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/562741\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/562742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=562741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=562741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=562741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}