The NBA has postponed Saturday's matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors in Minneapolis following a fatal shooting involving federal agents that has sparked widespread protests across the city.
In a statement released Saturday (Jan. 24), the league said "the decision was made to prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community" as demonstrations intensified in response to the killing earlier that morning. The game had been scheduled to take place at Target Center and air nationally on ABC.
League officials said the Timberwolves and Warriors are now rescheduled to play the postponed game on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET, with the broadcast moved to NBA TV. The two teams are also still scheduled to face each other again on Monday night in downtown Minneapolis.
The shooting occurred roughly two miles south of the arena after a confrontation between a man and federal immigration officers. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed that a 37-year-old man was killed but initially declined to release his identity or detailed information about what led up to the encounter. The man was later identified by his family as Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse. Federal officials said the officer who fired the fatal shot is an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provided additional details about the fatal encounter.
According to a DHS spokesperson, the incident occurred around 9 a.m. local time while agents were conducting immigration enforcement operations. Officials said the agents were approached by a man who was carrying a 9mm handgun and two magazines of ammunition. When agents attempted to disarm him, DHS claimed the man "violently resisted," leading one officer to fire what the agency described as "defensive shots."
The death marked the third shooting and second fatality in Minneapolis this month involving a federal agent, escalating tensions in the city. Despite frigid, subzero temperatures, thousands of protesters marched through downtown Minneapolis on Friday, urging an end to ICE operations in the state.
Saturday morning's shooting triggered another wave of protests, further complicating security conditions ahead of the game. For now, the NBA said it will continue to monitor conditions in Minneapolis as the situation develops, with Sunday's rescheduled game proceeding only if officials determine it is safe to do so.