Timberwolves honor Daunte Wright in pregame ceremony

The Minnesota Timberwolves honored Daunte Wright before the NBA team’s game on Tuesday night. 

Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by a police officer Sunday in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park. Body camera footage of the incident has sparked racial justice protests across the city and renewed calls by activists for police reform measures. 

The Timberwolves wore special T-shirts during warmups before their game against the Brooklyn Nets and held a moment of silence on the court prior to the playing of the national anthem. 

“With liberty and justice FOR ALL,” the shirts read. 

The team said it was “heartbroken” by the killing of Wright and postponed a game scheduled for Monday night, as did the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Wild, which also had home games slated for Monday evening. 

“Yesterday’s tragic event, involving the life of Daunte Wright, once again leaves our community mourning,” the Timberwolves said in a statement on Monday. “After consultation with the League, and local and state officials, we believe postponing tonight’s game versus the Brooklyn Nets is the best decision.” 

The Timberwolves and Nets held a moment of silence pregame to honor Daunte Wright. pic.twitter.com/AvdThLbQ4W

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 13, 2021

Protesters in the Brooklyn Center area have clashed with police each of the last three nights, with local police saying they made dozens of arrests on Monday night, mainly for people breaking a 7 p.m. curfew. 

Police pulled Wright over Sunday on suspicion of driving with expired license tags. After learning Wright had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant, officers attempted to take him into custody.

Wright was shot after he attempted to reenter his car and during an ensuing struggle with police.

The officer who shot Wright, Kim Potter, resigned on Tuesday, as did the local police chief after announcing Potter shot Wright thinking she was deploying her Taser instead of her service weapon. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Wright’s death a homicide this week. 

No charges have been filed against Potter as of Tuesday morning.