Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets players wore T-shirts calling for “liberty and justice for all” following the fatal shooting of a black man by a police officer on Sunday.
The death of Daunte Wright, 20, in Brooklyn Center sparked days of angry protests and an overnight curfew.
The Timberwolves and Nets honor the life and memory of Daunte Wright with a moment of silence. pic.twitter.com/IfYRnBKcBR
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2021
There was a moments silence before the Nets beat Minnesota 127-97.
The Timberwolves also used social media to focus attention on Wright.
With Liberty And Justice 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙡𝙡 pic.twitter.com/zExc6MTKFU
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 13, 2021
Before the game, the club tweeted: “We have a basketball game today. We will not be posting our usual content. Justice for Daunte Wright.”
Local police say Wright was shot after the officer meant to use a Taser, but mistakenly drew her gun instead.
Wright was pulled over for a traffic violation, but there was a struggle when he tried to get back into the car.
Police Chief Tim Gannon and officer Kim Potter quit the Brooklyn Center force on Tuesday after the death sparked two nights of unrest.
Tensions were already high in nearby Minneapolis as the trial of an ex-officer accused of killing George Floyd continues.
Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie said such deaths were “happening too frequently”.
“It’s sickening, it’s sad, it’s disgusting and it has to stop,” Okogie said.
