According to Ethan Sherwood Strauss, the Warriors' Stephen Curry started playing Prince on a stereo during the team's shootaround Thursday. Teammates Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala jumped in with their song choices, which included "Purple Rain," "When Doves Cry" and "Raspberry Beret."
Prince attended a Warriors game at Oracle Arena on March 3, then played a concert there the next day. That prompted these remembrances on Twitter from Ayesha Curry and Draymond Green.
💔💔💔💔 heartbroken... Just too soon. 💜💜💜💜 pic.twitter.com/GxP4RYYFPB
— Ayesha Curry (@ayeshacurry) April 21, 2016
RIP Prince! Had the pleasure of seeing him in concert last month in Oakland. One of the best shows I've ever seen!!! Rest up legend!! WOW!!
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) April 21, 2016
The local Minnesota pro sports teams all noted his passing on social media:
Fitting that it's raining in Minneapolis today. pic.twitter.com/s5KFurDhHi
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 21, 2016
We've lost a legend way too soon. #RIPPrince pic.twitter.com/m1NLeLDDwG
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 21, 2016
When doves cry, Wolves cry. #RIPPrince pic.twitter.com/YQehXYEcAe
— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 21, 2016
The NHL's Minnesota Wild turned their profile picture on both Twitter and Facebook to Prince's signature purple.
The NFL tweeted a picture of Prince from his memorable halftime performance during Super Bowl XLI in 2007.
Rest In Peace, Prince. #SB41 pic.twitter.com/wH6tjjEYim
— NFL (@NFL) April 21, 2016
NBA commissioner Adam Silver noted Prince's passing on Thursday: "I crossed paths with him many times during my NBA tenure. After the All-Star Game in Minneapolis, he hosted a legendary late-night party that people still talk about. On behalf of the NBA family, I want to say how sorry we are for his family and his millions of fans."
A number of athletes with ties to Minnesota also expressed their sadness over the passing of one of the state's most iconic musical figures:
There will never be another Prince. He was a cultural icon & a musical genius. Minneapolis & the world lost a legend today. #RIP #Prince
— Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) April 21, 2016
Can't believe he's gone. Heaven is purple today. #ripprince #minnesotalegend pic.twitter.com/NLs96E7h64
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) April 21, 2016
RIP to the legend Prince! Minnesota's very own.. You will be missed!
— Tyus Jones (@Tyusjones06) April 21, 2016
What a day. Prince's legendary music will live on, but today is a huge loss for Minnesota. He was one of a kind.
— Jesse Ventura (@GovJVentura) April 21, 2016
There were other notable tweets from around the sports world, as well.
To the man I named my son after RIP to the great Prince
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) April 21, 2016
This is so tragic. First MJ and now Prince! Two icons gone too soon!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 21, 2016
R.I.P PRINCE, another icon gone to soon
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) April 21, 2016
Unbelievable just heard about PRINCE. Strength and light to his family/loved ones. One of my favs and a true pioneering artist. RIP brotha.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 21, 2016
playin this for the next 3 hrs ftw pic.twitter.com/EzuHEIhuBE
— Feeno (@ArianFoster) April 21, 2016
I've listened to purple rain and raspberry beret 5 times each already.
— Josh Reddick (@RealJoshReddick) April 21, 2016
And finally, there's comedian Charlie Murphy, who told a memorable story about Prince playing basketball during a 2004 episode of "Chappelle's Show."
#RIP Prince. Your music was the soundtrack to a special time in my life.
— Charlie Murphy (@charliemurphy) April 21, 2016