NBA players protest fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by police officer

Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets players paid tribute to Wright, a 20-year-old Black man fatally shot by a police officer, before their match on Tuesday

Minnesota Timberwolves players where T-shirts promoting social justice (Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets players wore T-shirts promoting social justice on Tuesday evening before their NBA fixture got under way, as a response to the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by a police officer last Sunday.

Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was killed in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Local police claimed that the officer in question, Kim Potter, had intended to pull out a Taser but withdrew her gun by accident.

Wright’s death led to an overnight curfew and days of protests, with Timberwolves and Nets players sending their own message on Tuesday.

Ahead of the franchises’ game, which had been postponed by 24 hours, there was a moment of silence as players sported T-shirts reading: “With liberty and justice for all.”

The Timberwolves’ official Twitter account posted a message that read: “We have a basketball game today. We will not be posting our usual content. Justice for Daunte Wright.”

The official NBA Twitter account also paid tribute to the deceased 20-year-old.

Wright had been pulled over for a traffic violation and a struggle ensued when he attempted to climb back into his car. Police Chief Tim Gannon and officer Potter stepped down from the Brooklyn Center force amid the backlash.

Potter will face manslaughter charges over the death of Wright.

Minneapolis, where the Timberwolves welcomed the Nets, has this week been hosting the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who stands accused of killing George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, in the city last May.