The Minnesota Lynx's opening moment of silence for ICE shooting victims drowned out anti-ICE chants
Minnesota's Target Center turned into a political arena Saturday night as the Minnesota Lynx home opener against the Atlanta Dream was hijacked by a fan chanting anti-ICE.
Before the public address announcer took the microphone, the Lynx organization held a moment for Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, two citizens who were killed during immigration operations in January.
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The stage announcer then led the official tribute, saying, “Please join us in honoring Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti with a moment of silence.”
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Courtney Williams of the Minnesota Lynx dunks the ball during a game against the Atlanta Dream at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 9, 2026. (David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images)
He added, “We continue to extend our love, support and sympathy to Renee and Alex's families, friends and our community.”
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Silence lasted for seconds before a fan shouted “f–k ICE” in the stands.
The entire stadium erupted in applause at the same time.
The incident was reminiscent of the Minnesota Timberwolves game earlier this year, where the NBA franchise attempted a similar moment to silence Renee Good.
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Atlanta Dream's Allisha Gray drives to the basket during a game against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 9, 2026. (David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images)
The Lynx movement relies heavily on political narratives around these deaths.
Coach Cheryl Reeve took to social media to post “#ICEOUT.”
Former Lynx guard DiJonai Carrington also used his platform to call federal agents “undercover criminals.”
The political storm has reached the highest levels of the NBA, at one point forcing Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr to issue a formal apology for his anti-ICE comments after OutKick asked him to clarify his comments.
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Kerr initially criticized federal agencies for their role in the January shooting, calling the government's narrative “disgraceful,” but admitted he misinterpreted some investigative facts during a pregame session at the Chase Center in late February.
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“You're right, I misspoke, and I didn't know ICE was arresting criminals,” Kerr told OutKick.
“I regretted it right away because I knew it was the case. What I'm saying is that they are arresting people and imprisoning citizens and people who shouldn't be arrested. The way they are doing it, as you can see, is torturing everyone in the country.”
An official Wilson basketball is displayed on the court at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 9, 2026. (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'm not being mean, and I apologize for the misinformation. I hope everyone out there who's saying things that aren't true, please forgive me, too. All right, let's talk basketball.”
VIDEO RELEASED FROM THE ICE MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING
The anger in Minneapolis has focused on two specific events since earlier this year.
On Jan. 7, Renee Good was shot and killed by ICE officer Jonathan Ross. Government officials say Good used his car to disrupt official operations, while local activists dispute that account.
On Jan. 24, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot 10 times by Border Patrol agents.
The video appeared to show Pretti recording the agents on his phone before the altercation began.
The violence that followed 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 contest 91-90 to the Dream on Saturday, the game itself was secondary to the ongoing vitriol against the ICE that is stirring the WNBA and NBA.
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