A sombre silence fell over Target Center on Thursday night as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers prepared to tip off. The Timberwolves honored the life of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident who died following a confrontation with federal authorities earlier this week.

The organization joined the broader Twin Cities community in mourning, dedicating a moment on the Jumbotron to Good’s memory. Thousands inside the arena—players, coaches, and fans alike—stood in silence, unified in grief.

Head coach Chris Finch also paid a personal tribute ahead of the game, reinforcing the weight of the moment and the sense of loss that has rippled through the region.

The game tipped off as scheduled after the pre-game ceremony. The Wolves beat the Cavs 131-122.

The big screens displayed a photograph of Good while the Wolves players and their little escorts stood on the court with their heads bowed. The tribute served as a formal acknowledgment of the tragedy that occurred just miles from the stadium on Portland Avenue.

Renee Nicole Good was an award-winning poet and a loving mother of three. A graduate of Old Dominion University, she had recently moved to Minneapolis from Missouri. Her university also paid tribute to her today.

She had just dropped off her 6-year-old son at school on Wednesday morning, according to her husband. Videos show Good was shot after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents approached her and ordered her to get out of her vehicle, which was partly blocking one lane.

Administration officials stated that the agent was acting in self-defense. State and local officials, including Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, as well as Minneapolis residents, have strongly disputed the claims.

Chris Finch speaks out on behalf of the Timberwolves organisation

Ahead of the game, Chris Finch addressed the media on this tragedy. “As we all know, our community has suffered yet another unspeakable tragedy,” the head coach said. “We want to just convey our condolences and heartfelt wishes and prayers and thoughts to the families and loved ones and all of those that are greatly affected by what happened.”

Finch said that one-on-one conversations were held with the Wolves players after the incident to check in with them. But their primary concern was Good’s children, who are aged 15, 12, and 6, and are in their minds.

“All of the people and resources around the organization are always there for our guys, but this is not about our guys and how they’re reacting,” Finch said. “It’s about how our guys can be supportive and understanding of what’s happening.”

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There’s an air of heightened tension in Minneapolis amid Federal immigration officials conducting operations here for weeks. Meanwhile, the community tries to find a way to navigate the aftermath of this tragedy.