The NBA postponed the Golden State Warriors’ scheduled game against the Minnesota Timberwolves as concerns over public safety in Minneapolis grew following a nearby fatal shooting earlier in the day.
The league said the decision was made to put community safety first amid unrest in the city.
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NBA postpones Warriors vs. Timberwolves, reschedules for Sunday
Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
The official NBA statement confirmed the postponement. “The National Basketball Association game scheduled for today between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center has been postponed. The decision was made to prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community.
“The game has been rescheduled for tomorrow (Jan. 25) at 5:30 PM ET at Target Center.”
The league’s announcement came as local authorities and community members were responding to significant unrest following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man by federal officers in downtown Minneapolis.
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Protests and heightened tensions in the area around the Target Center were factors in the NBA’s choice to delay the matchup until the next day.
Authorities have publicly acknowledged the incident and the resulting community response, with protests and calls for accountability prompting safety concerns across downtown Minneapolis.
Given the proximity of the unrest and the potential risk to fans, players and staff, the NBA opted to delay the Warriors-Timberwolves game until conditions were expected to be more secure.
Postponements due to safety concerns are rare in the NBA, but the league’s priority in such situations is to ensure that events can proceed without risk to attendees or the surrounding community.
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