January 26, 2026
The NBA and WNBA are talking out after federal brokers fatally shot a person in Minneapolis over the weekend.
Players from each the NBA and WNBA have spoken out amid political and social unrest after movies surfaced displaying federal brokers fatally taking pictures ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minnesota this weekend.
Several nicely‑recognized NBA and WNBA gamers took to social media after seeing movies of Alex Pretti, a 37‑yr‑outdated ICU nurse, being fatally shot by federal immigration brokers in Minneapolis on Jan. 24. Coming simply weeks after federal brokers fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, Pretti’s demise has fueled widespread outrage over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Among NBA gamers who reacted, Indiana Pacers All‑Star level guard Tyrese Haliburton was one of many first to publish on social media, bluntly declaring, “Alex Pretti was murdered.”
Alex Pretti was murdered.
— Tyrese Haliburton (@Hali) January 25, 2026
The taking pictures affected the complete league, and the NBA postponed a Minnesota Timberwolves–Golden State Warriors sport scheduled for Jan. 24, saying it needed to “prioritize the protection and safety of the Minneapolis group.” The sport was rescheduled for Jan. 25, and Timberwolves coach Chris Finch mentioned the crew was “heartbroken” by what town has been compelled to witness and endure.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed his condolences for town of Minneapolis amid the continued unrest surrounding the tragedy.
“I’ve been following every little thing; it’s very unhappy. This has all the time been a terrific cease within the NBA tour. I really like town of Minneapolis; folks listed below are fantastic, and it’s very unhappy what’s occurring,” he mentioned. “I feel the overall feeling is one in all unhappiness for Minneapolis, town, they’ve been by lots, and we empathize with the residents right here.”
A second of silence was additionally held for Pretti forward of the sport.
Two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas additionally spoke out by sharing Bernice King’s assertion on Pretti and different posts denouncing his killing. He additionally despatched out a tweet instantly calling out the federal brokers concerned within the taking pictures.
He wrote: “6 guys beating the sh-t outta ONE individual then KILLING him!! F-ck the ICE brokers,” Thomas wrote. “6 in opposition to one and yall nonetheless shoot and kill someone. Yall had him out numbered and determined to KILL him prefer it was a online game, and he can simply he his life again smh.”
Minnesota Timberwolves taking pictures guard Jaylen Clark posted the graphic video of Pretti’s killing to his Instagram story, captioning it “sick world man.”
In the WNBA, league stars like A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese spoke out, with Reese posting that she is “praying for our nation” amid the unrest, whereas Wilson expressed the necessity for change. Two‑time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart made a visible protest before an Unrivaled league sport by holding up an “Abolish ICE” signal throughout participant introductions.
Unrivaled co-founder and WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart held up an “Abolish ICE” signal throughout participant intros forward of Mist’s sport this afternoon.
Photo through @Unrivaledwbb pic.twitter.com/mK9TDIJ6Ge
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) January 25, 2026
“Really, all day yesterday, I used to be simply disgusted from every little thing that you just see on Instagram and within the information,” Stewart later told ESPN. “Everyone right here [at Unrivaled] is feeling that method, a technique or one other. We’re so fueled by hate proper now as a substitute of affection, so I needed to have a easy message of ‘Abolish ICE,’ which suggests having insurance policies to uplift households and communities as a substitute of fueling worry and violence.”
The National Basketball Players Association, the official union for NBA gamers, launched a statement saying that “NBA gamers can now not stay silent” in response to the deadly shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good and stand with these calling for justice and alter.
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