The usually steady voice of Chris Finch, head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, broke with emotion as he addressed the community’s distress following the tragic shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by a federal officer. This incident has intensified the fear and anxiety stemming from ongoing immigration crackdowns.

Known for his direct and unemotional public statements, Finch was visibly affected by the recent events in Minneapolis as he spoke before the Timberwolves’ scheduled game against Golden State on Sunday. The matchup with the Warriors was delayed by a day in light of Pretti’s shooting on Saturday.

Finch, who has been at the helm of the Timberwolves for five years, shared, “I’m more than a resident. This is my home. I love living here. I love being a part of this community. I’ve been embraced from day one. People have been amazing. It’s sad to watch what is happening.” He emphasized the deep connection he and his players feel with the community, expressing the collective sorrow over recent developments.

The Timberwolves honored Pretti with a moment of silence before the national anthem, as they did for Renee Good, another victim of a federal officer’s fatal shooting, on January 8. This remembrance comes amid a significant immigration enforcement operation announced by the Trump administration in December, which the Department of Homeland Security describes as the largest in history, including a recent increase in federal officers.

On Saturday, the NBA decided to postpone the game, citing the need to “prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community” after Pretti’s shooting in a busy commercial area less than two miles south of the Target Center. Finch mentioned that the Timberwolves advocated for the delay to honor the community’s time of mourning.

“Playing basketball just didn’t feel like the right thing to do,” Finch said, thanking the NBA and the Warriors for their support.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr, long one of the league’s most outspoken coaches, was measured but clearly moved as he expressed his own sympathy.

“This has always been a great stop on the NBA tour. I love the city of Minneapolis. People here are wonderful, and it’s very sad what’s happening. I feel for the city. There’s a pall that’s been cast over the city. You can feel it. A lot of people are suffering, and obviously a loss of life is the number one concern. Those families will never get their family members back,” Kerr said.

Tens of thousands of people swarmed downtown Minneapolis on Friday in protest of the tactics and presence of immigration officers, a crowd the Warriors could see from their hotel as it moved toward Target Center. A smaller protest march took place downtown before the game Sunday.

There were plenty of other voices being raised around the sports world on Sunday. Women’s basketball star Breanna Stewart held a sign with “abolish ICE” printed on it during introductions at her Unrivaled league game. Minnesota Frost fans during a PWHL game chanted “Ice out now!” The NBA Players Association issued a statement in support of the protests in Minnesota and urged its members to speak up.

The perspectives in a polarized country vary wildly on what constitutes constitutionally protected protesting and what becomes violent political disruption, and Kerr seemed to sense that tension as he spoke before the game on Sunday.

“People are so angry. There should be an appeal to our better angels to look after one another and to recognize what’s happening. We’re being divided by media for profit, by misinformation. There’s so much out there that is really difficult for all of us to sort of reconcile,” Kerr said. “And so in times like these you have to lean on values and who you are and who you want to be, either as an individual or a country.”
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