Minnesota Lynx home opener moment of silence for ICE shooting victims drowned out by anti-ICE chants
Minnesota’s Target Center turned into a political scene Saturday night when the Minnesota Lynx’ home opener against the Atlanta Dream was hijacked by a fan shouting anti-ICE sentiments.
Before a public address announcer took the microphone, the Lynx organization held a moment of silence for Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, two residents killed during federal immigration operations in January.
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The arena announcer then led the official tribute, saying, “Please join us in honoring Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti with a moment of silence.” he said.
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Minnesota Lynx’s Courtney Williams dribbles the ball during a game against the Atlanta Dream at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 9, 2026. (David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images)
“We continue to offer our love, support and heartfelt condolences to Renee and Alex’s families, friends and community.”
THOUSANDS ARE MARCHING TO MINNEAPOLIS, THE HERD DESTINATION CENTER, DEMANDING THE ICE REMOVE FROM MINNESOTA
The silence lasted for seconds before a fan shouted “fk ICE” from the stands.
Cheers erupted in the arena at the obscenity.
The scene echoed a Minnesota Timberwolves game earlier this year when the NBA team attempted a similar tribute to Renee Good.
PROTESTERS CLASH WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS AFTER A NEW ICE SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS
Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center on May 9, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images)
The Lynx organization has leaned heavily into the political narrative surrounding these deaths.
Coach Cheryl Reeve took to her social media platforms to share “#ICEOUT.”
Former Lynx guard DiJonai Carrington also used her personal platform to call federal agents “masked criminals.”
The political firestorm reached the highest levels in the NBA, at one point forcing Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr to issue a formal apology for his inflammatory and outright inaccurate comments towards ICE after OutKick asked him to clarify his comments.
STEVE KERR APOLOGIZE FOR SPREADING ‘MISINFORMATION’ ABOUT ICE
Kerr had initially criticized federal agencies for their role in the January shootings and called the government’s announcement “disgraceful,” but admitted during a pregame session at Chase Center in late February that he had misinterpreted certain facts about the investigations.
STEVE KERR SAYS THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY CONGRESS, CLAIMS THE FED IS ‘TAKING 5-YEAR-OLD KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN’
“You’re right, I totally misspoke, and I knew ICE had arrested some criminals,” Kerr told OutKick.
“I immediately regretted it because I knew that was the case. I mean at the same time they’re arresting people, they’re detaining citizens and people who shouldn’t be detained. The way they’re doing it, as you can see, it’s angering everybody all over the country.”
An official Wilson basketball is displayed at Target Center court on May 9, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images)
Kerr continued: “Being in Minneapolis for those four days was incredibly emotional and powerful. It was a very difficult time for all of us… I was wrong, and I apologize for the misinformation. I hope anyone out there who said things that weren’t true will apologize as well. OK, let’s talk basketball.”
CELL PHONE VIDEO OF THE DEADLY MINNEAPOLIS ICE AGENT GIVEAWAY HAS BEEN PUBLISHED
The outrage in Minneapolis focuses on two specific incidents from earlier this year.
On January 7, Renee Good was shot and killed by ICE officer Jonathan Ross. While federal authorities claim Good used his vehicle to interfere with a lawful operation, local activists dispute that explanation.
On January 24, 37-year-old critical care nurse Alex Pretti was shot 10 times by Border Patrol agents.
Video footage shows Pretti recording the agents on his phone before a physical altercation began.
The violence following Pretti’s death was so severe that the Timberwolves’ game against the Warriors was postponed to ensure public safety.
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While the Lynx lost a close 91-90 contest to the Dream on Saturday, the game itself took a backseat to the ongoing harsh criticism against ICE in the WNBA and NBA.
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com Follow on /x: @alejandroaveela
