Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said the NBA team was “heartbroken” by events unfolding in Minneapolis, where federal agents shot dead a second US citizen amid the Trump administration’s mass immigration crackdown.
Plus Joe Ingles delivered a brutal sledge to an opponent.
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WOLVES ‘HEARTBROKEN’ AFTER TURMOIL
An emotional Finch spoke to reporters shortly before the Timberwolves took on the Golden State Warriors in Minneapolis on Monday (all times AEDT), a game postponed from Sunday when the city was sent reeling by the shooting death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, less than three weeks after an immigration officer fired on Renee Good, also 37, killing her in her car.
“As an organisation, we are heartbroken for what we are having to witness and endure and watch,” Finch said.
“We just want to extend our thoughts, prayers and concern for Mr. Pretti’s family, all the loved ones, and everyone involved in such an unconscionable situation in a community that we really love.”
The Timberwolves honoured Pretti with a moment of silence that ended amid expletive-laced chants against ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
Warriors coach Steve Kerr called it “one of the most bizarre, sad games I’ve ever been a part of” after his team trounced the Timberwolves 111-85.
Kerr, who said he felt the home team was “suffering,” has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump who had called the shooting of Good “shameful.”
On Monday he said it was time for Americans to appeal to their “better angels” in an era of extremism.
“People are so angry. There should be an appeal to our better angels to look after one another and to recognise what’s happening,” Kerr said.
“It’s hard to decipher what’s real and what’s not, what’s true and what’s not true — people arguing over the exact same video and saying ‘this happened, no, that happened.’” Kerr said the loss of life is “the number one concern.
“When all the unrest settles down, whenever that is, those family members won’t be returning home and that’s devastating,” said Kerr, whose university president father was shot dead in Beirut by Islamic militants in 1984.
Both coaches praised the decision to postpone the game.
“Playing basketball just didn’t feel like the right thing to do,” Finch said.
The NBA’s Players Association issued a statement on Monday saying players “stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice.”
“The 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.”
The Timberwolves, along with the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, the NFL’s Vikings, MLB’s Twins, NHL’S Wild and Minnesota United of MLS, joined prominent Minnesota companies in signing an open letter calling for state, local and federal officials to work together in pursuit of a “deescalation of tensions.”
Steph Curry led the Warriors on Monday with 26 points as they snapped a two-game losing streak and got their first win since Jimmy Butler’s ACL injury to improve to 26-21.
Anthony Edwards led all scorers with a 32-point, 11-rebound double-double, but the Timberwolves superstar’s side dropped its fifth in a row to now occupy a West play-in spot.
INGLES’ BRUTAL SWIPE AT OPPONENT
Monday’s one-sided result meant Joe Ingles got some junk time minutes.
And the Aussie veteran got chippy with a Warriors opponent and delivered a brutal sledge.
While lining up at the free throw line in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, Ingles could be heard saying “I’ll slap the s*** of you!” to Quinten Post as the two trash talked.
It came after Kerr revealed on Sunday that he’d spoken with Ingles and that the 38-year old Aussie told him that Timberwolves players felt uneasy about the tumultuous situation in Minnesota as the Warriors coach and Finch came to the decision to postpone the game.
AL RESULTS
Kings 116 Pistons 139
Warriors 111 Timberwolves 85
Raptors 103 Thunder 101
Pelicans 104 Spurs 95
Heat – Suns
Nets – Clippers
*Nuggets v Grizzlies and Mavericks v Bucks games were both postponed due to a winter storm
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