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The National Basketball Players Association on Sunday expressed support for protesters in Minneapolis who rallied against a crackdown by U.S. federal immigration authorities.
Clashes took place in Minneapolis between protesters and these officers sent by US President Donald Trump to various Democratic-led cities, which resulted in the shooting deaths of two people – the most recent being the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti on Saturday.
In a statement Sunday, the NBPA, the union that represents the league’s basketball players, said “NBA players can no longer remain silent.”
“Now more than ever, we must defend the right to free speech and stand in solidarity with Minnesotans who are protesting and risking their lives to demand justice,” the statement read.
“The NBA playing fraternity, 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 meant to protect us all.”
The NBA postponed a game in Minneapolis between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors on Saturday following Pretti’s killing, which occurred about two miles south of the Timberwolves’ arena, citing the need to “prioritize the safety and security” of the community.
The match was rescheduled for Sunday evening and featured a minute of silence for Pretti before tipoff.
“It was one of the weirdest, saddest games I’ve ever been a part of,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after Golden State’s 111-85 victory Sunday.
“You could feel the somber atmosphere. Their team, you could tell they were dealing with everything that was going on and what the city was going through.”
U.S. citizen Alex Pretti was killed Saturday in another Minneapolis shooting involving federal agents, renewing outcry over the Trump administration’s immigration operations. CBC’s Katie Simpson reports the scene.
Before the game, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch’s voice cracked and wavered as he expressed on behalf of the team the sorrow of the community’s collective fear and pain due to the ongoing immigration crackdown.
“It’s sad to see what’s happening,” Finch said.
“On a human level, as someone who is very proud to be here, I know a lot of our players feel the same way. They all love being here, and it’s just hard to see what we’re going through.”
Afterwards, Finch called it “a ghost of a performance” after his team’s lowest final score in over four years.
Kerr said he thought it was impossible for fans and players to concentrate on the field.
“They came to the game to try to forget some things, I guess, but I don’t think anything was lost from the city and their team,” Kerr said.
After the match, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards acknowledged the gravity of the situation.
“I love Minnesota, all the love and support they show me,” Edwards said. “My family and I are definitely praying for everyone.”
Teammate Julius Randle echoed a similar sentiment.
“Someone loses their life, you never want to see that,” Randle said, adding, “It was nothing but joy to live here, so things like that that happen in the community, it’s difficult.”
“I stand with the people of Minnesota”
Around the league, some players reacted to Pretti’s death on social media, with Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers writing on X that he had been “murdered,” while former Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns called the crackdown in Minneapolis “heartbreaking” and called for accountability.
Two weeks ago, Renee Good, also 37, was fatally shot by a federal officer while she was in her SUV in a residential neighborhood south of downtown Minneapolis. The Timberwolves held a moment of silence in earnest before their game the next night.
“My thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go out to the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti,” said Towns, who now plays for the New York Knicks.
“I stand with the people of Minnesota.”
