Steve Kerr, Chris Finch, Warriors
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Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors and head coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves interact after the game at Target Center on January 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves felt unlike any he had experienced, even as his team delivered a dominant 111–85 victory.
The outcome on the court, Kerr explained, was overshadowed by the somber atmosphere inside Target Center and the weight of recent events that have shaken Minneapolis and drawn national attention.
“Honestly, what I felt was that their group was suffering,” Kerr said after the game. “I thought the vibe in the stands — it was one of the most bizarre, sad games I’ve ever been a part of. You could feel it. Their team was struggling with everything that’s been going on and what the city has been through. It was very sad.”
Kerr said the win brought little sense of celebration given the circumstances.
“We’re happy about the win,” he said, “but it was very difficult to see so many people struggling and sad. People came to the game to try to forget about stuff, I guess, but I don’t think anything went away for the city or for their team.”
Steve Kerr Condemns ICE Shooting, Calls for Unity and Shared Values
Kerr’s comments came amid growing unrest in Minneapolis following two fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents in recent weeks — incidents that have reignited national debate over law enforcement practices, federal immigration enforcement, and the use of lethal force.
“People are so angry,” Kerr said. “There should be an appeal to our better angels — to look after one another and recognize what’s happening. We’re being divided by misinformation, by media for profit. There’s so much out there that’s difficult to reconcile.”
He added that moments like this demand reflection beyond politics or partisanship.
“In times like these, you have to lean on values — who you are and who you want to be,” Kerr said.
Fatal ICE Shooting of Alex Pretti Sparks Protests
The most recent incident occurred Jan. 24, when 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was shot and killed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
Federal authorities said an agent fired in self-defense after Pretti allegedly resisted disarmament. However, a bystander video reviewed by ABC News appears to show Pretti holding only a cellphone moments before he was tackled and shot, prompting renewed calls for an independent investigation.
The shooting marked the second fatal encounter involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis this month. According to reporting by WCVB-TV and other national outlets, the incident triggered large protests, clashes with law enforcement, and public challenges from city officials and community leaders questioning the federal account of events.
“People are arguing over the exact same video,” Kerr said. “‘This happened. No, that happened.’ It’s a confusing time to be alive and to be an American.”
Earlier Death of Renée Good Deepened Community Anguish
Unrest in the city intensified following the Jan. 7 death of Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three who was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during a separate encounter in Minneapolis.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Good’s death a homicide, citing multiple gunshot wounds as the cause, according to People.com. Federal officials said the ICE agent fired after Good allegedly attempted to strike officers with her vehicle.
That account has been disputed by Good’s family and local leaders. The Associated Press reported that community advocates and elected officials have demanded transparency, accountability, and a full review of the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“I feel for the city,” Kerr told reporters before the game. “There’s a pall that’s been cast over it. You can feel it. Obviously, a loss of life is the number one concern. Those families will never get their loved ones back. When all the unrest settles — whenever that is — those family members won’t be returning home. That’s devastating.”
Kerr Urges Reflection Amid National Division
Kerr, who has long spoken publicly on social and civic issues, emphasized that the current moment calls for restraint, empathy, and a recommitment to shared principles.
“My concern as an American is not that we’re perfect — we never have been,” Kerr said. “But I believe our ideals have been in the right place for a long time. No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, remembering the values that come with the Constitution and with citizenship — the values of looking after each other — is so important right now.”
On a night shaped more by loss than basketball, the result felt secondary to the moment.