The Unites States is once again on the verge following yet another police-involved shooting that occurred in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center on Sunday afternoon.
A 20-year-old African-American man by the name of Daunte Wright was pulled over by authorities during a traffic stop. After he attempted to flee the scene, an unnamed female officer accidentally shot the young black man. According to Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon, the officer mistakenly shot her gun rather use a taser on Wright.
Obviously, this has brought up all-too real memories of police brutality in the United States as the trial for the former Minneapolis police officer involved in George Floyd’s death last May is ongoing in the Twin Cities.
It also goes without saying that the sports world has taken note. The NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves, MLB’s Minnesota Twins and NHL’s Minnesota Wild all postponed their games on Monday.
Meanwhile, we’re seeing a show of unit and protest from teams around the NBA. That includes members of the Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs locking arms during the national anthem prior to their game.
“In light of the tragic events in the Minneapolis area yesterday, Magic and Spurs players and coaches held a moment of unity and silence prior to tonight’s game,” the Magic said in a statement.
It’s no surprise that this most-recent officer-involved shooting has impacted the NBA in a big way. Remember, the league postponed playoff games in the Orlando bubble last season following the death of Breonna Taylor after an incident with police officers in Louisville.
As for the always-boisterous Gregg Popovich, the San Antonio Spurs head coach had a response to the death of Daunte Wright the day before.