The Timberwolves took the Target Center floor for warmups before their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, Jan. 29, with a new warmup shirt.
The black T-shirts read “Stand with Minnesota” and are meant to be a gesture of support and call for unity across the state in the wake of the Minneapolis shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. Shortly after the team took the floor, the organization released a statement on behalf of the players.
“We, the Minnesota Timberwolves players, extend our sincere sympathies and love to everyone across the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota who has been affected by the recent tragic events impacting our communities,” the statement read. “Minnesota is strongest when we uplift and support one another, and there is no room for hatred or division across our great state or among all who live here.
“We mourn the lives lost and send strength, peace and compassion to all who are hurting. We believe in the resilience, unity and care that define Minnesotans, and bring our communities together in times of hardship and need.”
On Saturday, Jan. 24, the day Pretti was killed, the NBA postponed the team’s game against the Golden State Warriors and rescheduled it for the next day. After their game Sunday, Wolves players such as Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle spoke to express their support for those affected by recent events.
“Man, I just love Minnesota, all the love and support that they show me,” Edwards said. “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.”
Added Randle: “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.
“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.”
