NBA SHOCKED: Timberwolves Game Rocked by Minneapolis Unrest, Super Bowl LX Teams Set!

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota Timberwolves home game against the Golden State Warriors was engulfed in sorrow and protest as Minneapolis grappled with renewed civil unrest. The NBA match, played Sunday, January 25, 2026, followed a contentious postponement from Saturday. Federal agents reportedly killed a second US citizen amidst an ongoing immigration crackdown, fueling widespread outrage.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch described the organization as "heartbroken" by the unfolding tragedy. The city has been reeling from the shooting death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse. This incident occurred less than three weeks after an immigration officer fatally shot Renee Good, also 37, in her car.

NBA Responds to Minneapolis Turmoil

The Minnesota Timberwolves honored Alex Pretti with a moment of silence. This silence quickly turned into "expletive-laced chants against ICE" (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) from the crowd. The game itself, a 111-85 victory for the Warriors, was deemed surreal by participants.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr called it "one of the most bizarre, sad games I've ever been a part of." Kerr, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, expressed deep concern. He stated, "People are so angry. There should be an appeal to our better angels to look after one another." He emphasized that the loss of life is "the number one concern."

The NBA's Players Association released a powerful statement on Sunday. They declared players "stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice." WNBA star Breanna Stewart highlighted the personal impact. She noted the issue hit home as her wife, retired Spanish basketballer Marta, seeks US citizenship. Stewart added, "When human lives are at stake it's bigger than anything else." NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, from the Indiana Pacers, posted simply on X: "Alex Pretti was murdered."

The decision to postpone Saturday's game was praised by both coaches. Finch said, "Playing basketball just didn't feel like the right thing to do." The city's mayor, Jacob Frey, and police chief, Brian O'Hara, held press conferences, echoing previous statements. Protesters marched through downtown Minneapolis on January 25, 2026.

Super Bowl LX Matchup Set!

In other seismic sports news, the NFL's championship weekend delivered intense showdowns. Super Bowl LX will feature a thrilling rematch. The Seattle Seahawks will face the New England Patriots.

Seahawks Surge to Super Bowl

The Seattle Seahawks triumphed over the Los Angeles Rams in a barnburner. The final score was 31-27 in the NFC Championship game. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold led the charge with 346 yards and three touchdowns. The Seahawks earned their place in the Super Bowl for the fourth time in franchise history. Rams head coach Sean McVay lamented missed opportunities after the loss.

Patriots Punch AFC Ticket

The New England Patriots secured their Super Bowl bid by defeating the Denver Broncos. The AFC Championship game was a tough 10-7 battle in snowy conditions. Quarterback Drake Maye led the Patriots to their 12th Super Bowl appearance.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton faced heavy criticism for a controversial 4th-down decision. Early in the game, Payton opted for a risky fourth-down attempt instead of a field goal. ESPN Analytics, however, suggested his choice slightly increased win probability. Other models disagreed, showing a slight drop in win probability. The Broncos turned the ball over, ending an 11-play drive without points.

Premier League Stunner!

Across the Atlantic, the Premier League witnessed a dramatic upset. Manchester United delivered an "incredible late win" against league leaders Arsenal. The final score at Emirates Stadium was 3-2.

Matheus Cunha scored a stunning 87th-minute winner for United. This victory cut Arsenal's lead at the top to just four points. Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu also scored for United. Arsenal initially led through an own goal by Lisandro Martinez. This result sends shockwaves through the title race.

NHL Highlights

In the NHL, Sunday, January 25, saw several high-scoring games and individual brilliance.

• Brock Nelson achieved a hat trick, leading the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nelson is on a scoring tear ahead of the Olympics.

• Anaheim Ducks rookie Beckett Sennecke recorded his first career NHL hat trick. His overtime goal secured a 4-3 win against the Calgary Flames. The Ducks have now won seven straight games.

• The Ottawa Senators dominated the Vegas Golden Knights with a 7-1 win.

• Pittsburgh Penguins star Ben Kindel scored twice in a 3-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks. This marked the Penguins' fourth consecutive victory.

Raptors Continue Hot Streak

The Toronto Raptors are making headlines in the NBA. They defeated the top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder 103-101 on Sunday night. This marks their fourth consecutive win.

Immanuel Quickley led the Raptors with 23 points and 11 rebounds. R.J. Barrett contributed 14 points. Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points for the Thunder. He extended his streak of 20+ point games to 117, second-longest in NBA history.

What's Next

The Minneapolis situation remains fluid, with ongoing protests expected. The NBA will likely continue to monitor the humanitarian crisis. Super Bowl LX between the Seahawks and Patriots is scheduled for February 8, 2026. All eyes will be on the Premier League title race as Arsenal tries to recover their lead. NHL teams will continue their regular season push toward the playoffs.