AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert posted a photo to social media Thursday showing his swollen face after being stung by a bee from his personal hive.
The crossover @TheCrossover
Difficult start to the day for @rudygobert27 🤕 pic.twitter.com/olx57rUd8z
Gobert told reporters that the swelling didn’t affect his vision:
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Rudy Gobert was stung in the nose by a bee from the hive he owns at his home. It’s a little swollen, but he can see well. “There were seven guys and I was the only one that came out,” he joked to open up about his media availability.
The three-time All-Star explained he has a beehive because of his enjoyment of honey and the fact that it’s “good for the environment.” Getting stung was relatively rare, and in this case it was only made worse because it was in his face.
“I’ve always wanted some and a year ago we put a beehive in the house. It’s going great,” said Gobert called. “I’ve been bitten about three times since I got it, but this is a tough spot.”
It doesn’t appear that the situation has put the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year in jeopardy of missing Utah’s crucial Game 6 duel against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
The Mavs lead 3-2 in the first round series and can eliminate the Jazz with an away win.
Gobert has averaged 12.4 points, 13.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while shooting 66.7 percent from the field in his first five games.
Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell is also expected to play as the team faces elimination despite some concerns with a hamstring injury.
Tipoff at Vivint Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on TNT. If Utah extends the series, Game 7 will be held in Dallas on Saturday.