Nets vs. Timberwolves Postponed After Police Killing of Daunte Wright

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Monday’s game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets that was scheduled to take place at the Target Center has been postponed in the wake of the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright:

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium first reported the news.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the game could be played Tuesday with both teams not scheduled to play again until Wednesday.

The Minnesota Twins announced their game against the Boston Red Sox scheduled for Monday was also postponed. The NHL also postponed the Minnesota Wild’s game against the St. Louis Blues, rescheduling the game for May 12.

“Out of respect for the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Brooklyn Center, and following the additional details in this evolving situation, the Minnesota Twins have decided it is in the best interests of our fans, staff, players and community to not play today’s game,” the Twins’ announcement said. “… The Minnesota Twins organization extends its sympathies to the family of Daunte Wright.”

A police officer shot and killed Wright, a Black man, during a traffic stop in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center on Sunday.

Adrienne Broaddus, Holly Yan, Keith Allen and Hollie Silverman of CNN reported on the killing, noting police released bodycam footage Monday. An officer was heard shouting, “Taser! Taser! Taser!” before firing a gun and then saying, “Holy s–t, I shot him.”

Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon called the shooting “an accidental discharge that resulted in the tragic death of Mr. Wright.”

The fatal shooting happened amid the ongoing murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the May 2020 killing of George Floyd. Video showed Chauvin holding his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes despite pleas from Floyd saying he could not breathe.

Floyd’s death led to worldwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism.