Timberwolves coach Chris Finch says team is ‘heartbroken’ over Alex Pretti’s death

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said the organization was “heartbroken” over the death of Alex Pretti, the man shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24.

His voice cracking with emotion, Finch delivered an opening statement before the Jan. 25 game against the Golden State Warriors, a contest the NBA postponed from Saturday to Sunday following Pretti’s death.

“For the second time in less than three weeks, we’ve lost another beloved member of our community in the most unimaginable way,” Finch said, also referencing the killing of Renee Good on Jan. 7. “As an organization, we are heartbroken for what we are having to witness and endure and watch. We just want to extend our thoughts, prayers and concern for Mr. Pretti, family, all the loved ones and everyone involved in such an unconscionable situation in a community that we really love, full of people who are, by nature, peaceful and prideful. We just stand in support of our great community here.”

As Finch spoke, protestors were marching in downtown Minneapolis near Target Center as the Wolves prepared to play the Warriors for the first of back-to-back nights. The team had asked the league and the Warriors to postpone Sunday’s game from Saturday after news broke of Pretti’s death, and the NBA agreed.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr said Wolves forward Joe Ingles had called him to let him know the Wolves players had concerns over playing Saturday.

“I totally agree with the decision,” Kerr said. “Everything should be about the safety and concern for not only the players and the fans but everybody here in Minneapolis with what’s going on.”

Finch said Wolves players had a lot of questions about Pretti’s death and events surrounding it after protests took place downtown Friday before Pretti’s death Saturday.

Finch has lived in Minneapolis since taking the job with the Wolves in 2021 and called the city his “home.” He said he was grateful for how people have embraced him and because of that: “It’s sad to watch what is happening. On the human level, certainly as somebody who takes great pride in being here, I know a lot of our players feel the same. They all love being here, and it’s just hard to watch what we’re going through.”

Kerr, whose father, Malcolm, was the victim of political assassination in 1984, has never shied away from sharing his thoughts on world events. He said this weekend in Minneapolis had a “COVID-type feel” with the team mostly staying put in its hotel while it has been here since Friday.

“A very eerie vibe in the city, just everything that’s happening,” Kerr said. “But I think the general feeling is just one of sadness — for Minneapolis, for the city. They’ve been through a lot, and we empathize with the citizens here, with the Wolves franchise and their fans. It’s a wonderful place.”

Toward the end of his remarks, Kerr said, “There should be an appeal to our better angels to look after one another.

“We’re being divided by media for profit, by misinformation,” Kerr said. “There’s so much out there that is really difficult for all of us to sort of reconcile. 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, and I think that’s the biggest thing — what’s so sad about all this is we’re at each other’s throats right now.”

“I can’t speak for other guys, but I mean, there is a human element aspect to it, regardless of what you believe or what political beliefs you have, or whatever it is, like it’s human nature,” forward Julius Randle said. “Nobody deserves to lose their life, and especially for it to happen in our community is tough. So my prayers for that situation and everybody involved, and everybody in Minneapolis, obviously, it’s tough times right now. Like I said, regardless of what you believe politically, it’s tough watching what’s going on.”

Kerr said after the game he sensed that the Wolves “were suffering.”

“I thought the vibe in the stands, it was one of the most bizarre, sad games I’ve ever been a part of,” Kerr said. “You can feel the somber atmosphere. They were struggling with everything that’s been going on.”

The Wolves committed 26 turnovers in the loss and looked out of sorts from the opening tip.

Guard Donte DiVincenzo said he hopes the team and community can “push through these rough days” while guard Anthony Edwards added: “Man, I just love Minnesota, all the love and support that they show me. So I’m behind with whatever they with. I don’t really have social media ... but I’ve heard about the stuff that’s going on, so me and my family definitely praying for everybody.”