Yahoo Sports Timberwolves-Nets postponed in wake of police shooting of Daunte Wright
The Minnesota Timberwolves have postponed their game against the Brooklyn Nets in the wake of the police shooting of Daunte Wright, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported and NBA confirmed.
The NBA said it made the decision in consultation with the Timberwolves as well as locals from the state and local level. The full statement:
The National Basketball Association announced today that in light of the tragic events in the Minneapolis area yesterday, tonight’s game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center has been postponed. The decision to postpone was made by the NBA after consultation with the Timberwolves organization and local and state officials.
Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Daunte Wright during this difficult time.
The postponement came within 90 minutes of the Minnesota Twins announcing they had postponed their Monday matinee against the Boston Red Sox. Both the Timberwolves and Twins were playing at home.
The game could be made up on Tuesday at Target Center in Minneapolis, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wright, a Black man, was shot by a Brooklyn Center police officer during a traffic stop on Sunday, sparking protests around the city. Police held a press conference Monday afternoon. The trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, charged in George Floyd's death, is also ongoing.
Police: Officer mistakenly used gun instead of taser
The Brooklyn Center Police Department and police chief Tim Gannon released body-camera footage of the encounter during a press conference on Monday afternoon. It was shortly before the Twins and Timberwolves announced the postponements.
Police said in a statement on Sunday they pulled over a man for a traffic violation shortly before 2 p.m. and found the driver, later identified as Wright, had an outstanding, undisclosed arrest warrant. Officers on the scene attempted to apprehend him and as they tried to arrest him, Wright got back in the car, per the police.
An officer shot Wright, who drove several blocks before striking another vehicle, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His girlfriend was in the passenger seat and Wright had his mother on the phone to give the police the insurance information, per the New York Times.
Protests erupted in Minnesota, where the trial of Chauvin is in Day 11. Floyd was killed in police custody 11 months ago. Police responded to the protests with riot gear and fired gas and chemical agents at protestors near the police department, which is near the Twins' field.
Gannon, the police chief, said on Monday he believes the officer who shot Wright mistakenly used her handgun instead of a taser. A female voice be heard on released video shouting "Taser!" before Wright was shot. The officer has not been identified and is on administrative leave.
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