"It was one of the saddest games I have lived through": Steve Kerr and a night marked by pain in Minnesota

The atmosphere at the Target Center was understandably strange and subdued on Sunday afternoon. Although the Golden State Warriors clearly defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves by 111-85, with a nearly 30-point difference, the game was overshadowed by everything happening outside the arena, in the streets of Minneapolis.

This was acknowledged by Warriors' head coach, Steve Kerr, after the game. He explained that the atmosphere inside the venue was unusual and filled with sorrow.

“Honestly, what I felt was that their group was suffering,” Kerr pointed out in statements collected by ESPN. “The feeling in the stands was one of the weirdest and saddest I've experienced in a game. It was possible to sense a somber mood. Their team was affected by everything that was happening and by what the city has had to go through. It was very sad. It was a sad night.”

The match, originally scheduled for Saturday, was postponed by the NBA for 24 hours following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a nurse with the Department of Veterans Affairs, shot dead by agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This incident occurred just weeks after another ICE officer shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good in another part of the city. Both cases, along with broader ICE operations and activities in the Twin Cities region, sparked large protests and demonstrations.

Numerous sports figures and organizations spoke out about this, including several teams from Minnesota and the National Basketball Players Association. New York Liberty star and Unrivaled co-founder, Breanna Stewart, displayed a sign with the slogan "Abolish ICE" before her Sunday game. Former Timberwolves player Karl-Anthony Towns and Indiana Pacers' star Tyrese Haliburton also voiced their opinions on social media.

Both Kerr and Timberwolves' coach, Chris Finch, agreed that playing the game on Saturday was not appropriate. “It just didn't feel right,” Finch stated.

Prior to Sunday's game, Finch emotionally addressed the audience. “For the second time in less than three weeks, we have lost another cherished member of our community in the most unimaginable manner,” he said. “As an organization, we are shattered by what we are witnessing and enduring. We wish to convey our thoughts, prayers, and support to Mr. Pretti's family, his loved ones, and all affected by such an inconceivable situation in a community we deeply care about.”

Stephen Curry, Warriors' star, shared that he spent much of Friday and Saturday following the news. He also mentioned capturing footage with his phone of protesters walking the nearby streets, in sub-zero temperatures.

“It was impressive to see the response,” Curry commented. “The peaceful protests and unified voice made you think that things could change in a more positive direction. Then you wake up and see what happened. There are many changes that need to happen, and when you're here, you feel it.”

Before the game started, the Timberwolves held a moment of silence in memory of Pretti. During that time, several fans shouted slogans against ICE from the stands.

Although protests were seen again around the Target Center on Sunday, the game proceeded without incidents.

“It's very hard to see so many sad and affected people,” Kerr concluded. “They came to the game to try to forget what's happening, but I don't think anything disappeared for the city or their team. They were bearing the consequences of all of it.”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, “Fue uno de los partidos más tristes que he vivido”: Steve Kerr y una noche marcada por el dolor en Minnesota