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The NBA has postponed tonight’s Nets-Timberwolves game as Minneapolis faces new tensions after the police killing of a 20-year-old black man in the suburban Brooklyn Center. The killing, which has already spurred widespread protest in the region, comes as the defense opens in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who kneeled on George Floyd’s neck and killed him last year.
The news was first reported by Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski who also suggested the Nets would stay over in Minneapolis and play the T’Wolves on Tuesday if conditions improve. The Nets are already in the Twin Cities and planned to fly out post-game Monday to Philadelphia where they play the 76ers on Wednesday night.
The Timberwolves-Nets game tonight has been postponed in wake of police shooting of Daunte Wright in Minnesota, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 12, 2021
The Nets-Timberwolves could be played on Tuesday in Minneapolis, sources tell ESPN. Nets play in Philadelphia on Wednesday; Timberwolves host Bucks on Wednesday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 12, 2021
Marc Stein later reported that there is still no agreement on whether the Nets will stay and play the game Tuesday adding conversations were still ongoing.
The NBA later confirmed the postponement and cited the “tragic events” overnight, adding its condolences to the Wright family. The league said it had taken the decision after consultations with the Timberwolves organization and local authorities. Major League Baseball had earlier postponed the Twins-Red Sox game.
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Although the Nets did not put a statement, the Steve Nash’s foundation tweeted this...
Thankful the @nets are allowing space tonight. The grief and weight of this is enormous for so many. Please consider using your gametime hours to read, reflect and take action for racial justice.
— The Steve Nash Foundation (@SteveNashFdn) April 12, 2021
Here’s how the New York Times summarized the shooting of Duante Wright, who leaves a two-year son, and its aftermath...
Hundreds of demonstrators poured into the streets of Brooklyn Center, Minn., on Sunday night after the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop.
The shooting injected more frustration and anxiety into the Twin Cities region, where t where the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering George Floyd, is now in its third week.
Following the overnight protests, the chief of the Brooklyn Center PD told reporters that his officer shot Wright with her police-issued handgun but had meant to taser him instead, a claim that provoked even more protests.
More details as they are available.
- Minnesota Sports Teams Postpone Games After Shooting - Tyler Kepner & Sopan Deb - New York Times
- Timberwolves-Nets game postponed after Daunte Wright shooting - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Nets-Timberwolves postponed after police shooting of Daunte Wright - Greg Logan - Newsday
- Timberwolves among Minnesota-area teams to postpone games after fatal shooting of Black man by Minneapolis police officer causes unrest - Kristian Winfield - New York Daily News
- Twins, Wolves, Wild postpone games following police shooting - Dave Campbell - AP
- Minnesota Twins, Timberwolves, Wild postpone games in wake of police shooting of Daunte Wright - Joon Lee - ESPN