It was not the best of times as basketball felt secondary inside Target Center on Sunday night. A city in mourning gathered for a game that had already been postponed once, and the weight of recent events never lifted.
Warriors Secure Victory in Gloomy Atmosphere
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-85, yet the victory was gloomy as the shared sense of loss following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti was visible everywhere. From the opening moments, the arena carried a heaviness. Players, coaches, and fans were affected, as it could be seen in their faces.
Steve Kerr Reveals Somber Atmosphere in Minnesota
After the final buzzer, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr candidly shared details of the atmosphere in the arena. Kerr spoke candidly about what he observed from the sideline after the Warriors win over the Timberwolves.
"Honestly, what I felt was that their group was suffering," Kerr said about the Timberwolves team and fans. "I thought the vibe in the stands, it was one of the most bizarre, sad games I've ever been a part of. You can feel the somber atmosphere. Their team, we could tell, was struggling with everything that's been going on, with what the city has been through. It was very sad. It was a sad night. Obviously, we got the win, and we're happy about that, but very difficult to see so many people struggling."
Pre-Game Tributes and Emotional Responses
Before tipoff, the Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Pretti, mirroring a similar tribute earlier this month for Renée Good. Head coach Chris Finch, usually reserved, showed visible emotion when addressing the community.
"I’m more than a resident. This is my home. I love living here," Finch said. "It’s sad to watch what is happening."
On-Court Action Overshadowed by Off-Court Tragedy
On the court, Golden State eventually pulled away, outscoring Minnesota 38-17 in the third quarter. Stephen Curry led with 26 points, while Anthony Edwards scored 30 for the Timberwolves. Still, the game didn’t feel like a normal basketball event.
"You definitely felt the weight of the city," Warriors guard Moses Moody said. "Couldn’t imagine too many times where that group, that large of amount of people, are together in the midst of a situation like this."
Julius Randle shared his thoughts from the Minnesota locker room, "When somebody loses their life, you never want to see that," Randle said. "It’s tough."
Protests Inside the Arena
Outside the arena, protests continued, and it followed inside. Chants of "ICE out" surfaced during free throws and stoppages. Members of the arena’s dunk team wore shirts aligning the same message.
Kerr acknowledged the pain surrounding the game. "There’s a pall that’s been cast over the city. You can feel it," he said. "A lot of people are suffering, and obviously a loss of life is the No. 1 concern."
Looking Ahead: Minnesota's Resilience
As the teams prepare to meet again, Minnesota will want to get back in the game despite the overwhelming sadness the city is feeling. The community's grief has cast a long shadow over the sporting event, highlighting how sports can become a backdrop for larger societal issues.
The emotional toll was palpable throughout the evening, with players and coaches expressing their condolences and solidarity. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how tragedies can permeate all aspects of life, including professional sports.
