NBA stars shaken by Minneapolis killing

January 29, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

Close to home for Chet Holmgren

According to Chris Hine of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren said the shooting occurred only a few blocks from where his parents live in Minneapolis. Holmgren, who grew up in the city, noted that his family regularly spends time along Nicollet Avenue, making the incident feel deeply personal.

Holmgren addressed the situation in a video shared on X by Thunder writer Addam M. Francisco as he prepared to return to Minneapolis for a game against the Timberwolves.

“I definitely think we’re too advanced as a species, just plain and simple, for things like that to be happening,” Holmgren said. “No matter what your opinions are or what your beliefs are, you should be able to agree that nobody needs to be dying in the street.”

He added that he did not know all the details surrounding the shooting but expressed sympathy for those affected. “I wasn’t there. I don’t have a full picture of everything going on, so I can’t really speak on details and what happened and what transpired, but I just feel for the families of anybody who’s lost their life up there and I’m wishing safety for everybody.”

Reactions spread across the league

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Holmgren was one of several NBA figures who commented publicly as news from Minneapolis continued to unfold. Timberwolves players, head coach Chris Finch, and Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed the situation following a game on January 25. The NBA Players Association also released a statement on behalf of its members.

Former Timberwolves center Karl Anthony Towns, now with the New York Knicks, shared his response on X, calling the events in Minnesota heartbreaking and expressing solidarity with the community.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama told reporters that following the news had been deeply unsettling, adding that he struggled with the idea that violence against civilians could ever be normalized.

When proximity makes it real

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell reflected on being in Minneapolis shortly after the death of Renee Good, explaining that physical closeness to the events changed how they felt.

“It’s one of those things where there’s a human element to all this,” Mitchell said, describing how being in the city made the tragedy impossible to ignore.

Knicks forward Guerschon Yabusele echoed that sense of urgency in a post on X, writing that he could not stop thinking about what was happening in Minnesota and voicing his support for those affected.

A moment that reaches beyond basketball

As teams travel through Minneapolis or prepare to return for games, the reactions highlight how events off the court can resonate throughout the league. For many players, the shooting of Alex Pretti has become more than a headline, serving as a reminder of the human impact behind the news and the way national sports figures experience local tragedy alongside the communities involved.

Sources: Minnesota Star Tribune, Associated Press