1:23pm: The Wolves officially confirmed Gobert’s one-game suspension in a press release.
12:36pm: Rudy Gobert isn’t traveling with the Timberwolves and will not compete in the play-in game against the Lakers on Tuesday after receiving a one-game suspension, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter links).
Gobert is expected to return for the following game(s), whether that’s another play-in contest or a first-round playoff series, Wojnarowski adds.
According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link), the Wolves decided to suspend Gobert after reviewing his altercation with Kyle Anderson on Sunday, when Gobert took a swing at his frontcourt teammate. The two players continued to argue at halftime, with Gobert ultimately getting sent home by the team.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year was experiencing back spasms that hindered his mobility, but was pushed to play yesterday due to the importance of the game. Reports indicated that Anderson profanely told Gobert to play better defense, which evidently caused Gobert to punch Anderson in the left shoulder/chest area. The veteran center subsequently privately and publicly apologized, but obviously the team didn’t take his actions lightly.
The Wolves will also be without Jaden McDaniels for the rest of the season after he broke his hand punching a wall. The third-year forward was frustrated after picking up two early fouls. Backup center Naz Reid is expected to miss several weeks as well following wrist surgery to repair a fracture.
Despite being down two starters for the majority of the game, Minnesota wound up defeating New Orleans in a close, back-and-forth game. The victory clinched the No. 8 seed entering the play-in tournament for the Wolves, while the Pelicans fell to No. 9.
The winner of the Lakers/Wolves matchup will advance as the No. 7 seed and play Memphis in the first round. The loser will play the winner of Wednesday’s Pelicans/Thunder matchup on Friday for a chance at the No. 8 seed.
L
Wolves without 3 players against Lakers
Naz Reid
McDaniel
Gobert
Lakers vs Grizzlies
Grizzlies without 2 big men vs Lakers
Adams
Clarke
Paul George is likely to miss first 3 games against Suns
This is going well.
Quote: “… when Gobert took a swing at his frontcourt teammate.”
Gobert didn’t take a “swing” at Anderson! He pushed him in the shoulder. Watch the video instead of making stuff up. The next blog entry probably claims that Gobert threw a knife or fired a rifle.
What a load of sensationalist BS!
Yeah I think you are right on this
Overblown, as usual.
I think it’s more that Gobert isn’t liked by the rest of the team and they risk losing the rest of the locker room if they don’t do anything.
I’d say it was a jab. A push is open handed (usually). Fact is he’s a professional basketball player on a stage and get paid well and should stoop to the level of acting like he’s back in AAU. He’s had issues in the past and this is no different. I wouldn’t say it’s completely blown out since it’s surprising to see teammate’s go at it, during a game, and take it to a physical level. Shouldn’t have to escalate to that.
I despise the Lakers, but I love those real haters that think the league gives them all these breaks. Can’t wait to see someone say silver offered McDaniels and gobert 5mill to whoever could look the stupidest punching something.
The league has been protecting the Lakers for decades. L.A. is their money-maker. Gobert could play, score 56 points and grab 35 boards and the refs would get the Lakers to the line 52 times to the Wolves’ 4 and L.A. would eke out a 127-123 win.
“I made up a scenario where Rudy Gobert plays like Wilt Chamberlain and the Lakers still won. See its rigged!!!!”
Stupid move by wolves management. It’s well known that the two guys have moved on. They don’t have to like each other but they’ve moved on and are ready to play.
Should have fined him the max amount and played him. Such an idiot move to suspend him for the game. Maybe if he was a free agent and say adios to the guy but you’re stuck with him four more years at massive money lol. Horrendous decision. You have to play him now or else camp will be a weird situation. Nip it in the bud now and create a little family continuity.
I agree Gary. Anderson yells STFU in front of fans and Gobert reacted. These things happen. And like another posted, it was more of a shove and not to the face. I’m not a Gobert fan but this is a dumb as you said.
The Wolves just seemingly are doubling down on such a bad bet. That trade has been probably one of the worst trades I’ve seen in the last decade. Just frightening inept mgmt.
Wolves might be better off with Gobert not playing although losing McDaniels hurts as well. LOL
Last decade is being too kind. I would argue it’s one of the worst NBA trades ever.
Time for Garza to become legend
Love it !
Either way lakers we’re going to win this one
Gobert needs to grow up. Sure, no one wants to be called a bi_ch or told to STFU, but for the good of the team, talk it out with Slow Mo after the game.
Of course, this is the guy who made fun of COVID and then got his teammates sick. He’s also struggled to get along with multiple teammates over his NBA career. This seems par for the course.
The Covid thing was so overblown. Anderson is at fault here
If you watched his play (Gobert) prior to the altercation, you’d see why the team was calling him out. KAT did as well. As for the Covid instance, how was that overblown?
dude imagine if the lakers lose lol
Gobert go tell lebron he is fake as ….