The Minnesota Timberwolves suspended center Rudy Gobert for Tuesday’s all-important play-in match against the Los Angeles Lakers after the Frenchman smacked teammate Kyle Anderson during a time-out on Sunday.
ESPN was the first to respond the suspension, adding that Gobert is expected to return to the team after Tuesday’s game if Minnesota play the winner of the Oklahoma City-New Orleans game on Wednesday in either the playoffs or a second play-in match.
The team has been considering extenuating circumstances, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reports that Anderson repeatedly called Gobert a “bitch” on Sunday despite the 7-foot-2 center playing with an injured back.
The team’s spokespersons did not immediately respond to ‘s request for confirmation.
Gobert was sent home after the incident that occurred in the second quarter of Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Anderson is accused of repeatedly calling Gobert a “bitch” during Sunday’s win
Gobert (right) allegedly lunged at Anderson (left) after he was called a “slut” on Sunday
Gobert sent a group text apology to the team, according to teammate Mike Conley. On Sunday, trainer Chris Finch declined to speculate about a possible punishment for Gobert, who played with back spasms after being ruled questionable.
Gobert also apologized in a post on Twitter.
“I was overwhelmed by emotion today,” wrote the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year. “I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did, regardless of what was said.”
Anderson, a fiery but respected leader who has given Wolves a major boost with his versatility and experience in his first season with the team, had a heated discussion with Gobert about one of the many sequences that had gone wrong by then as the team was during a time-out late in the second quarter in a scrum.
Gobert then ended the argument by raising his arm to slap Anderson’s upper chest with his hand before the two were separated and Gobert was taken back to the dressing room. Taurean Price also responded to Gobert’s momentum by jumping out of his seat to give Gobert a shove.
“I think tempers just flared up,” Anderson said afterwards. ‘That’s all.’
Kyle Anderson is restrained by teammates after his on-court confrontation with Rudy Gobert
Anderson said he didn’t think the two would have trouble moving forward.
“We want to win games. It is what it is. It’s not the first time someone has come at me,” he said.
Basketball Operations President Tim Connelly issued a statement confirming the Timberwolves had decided to send Gobert home after the second-quarter fold.
“His behavior on the bench was unacceptable and we will manage the situation internally,” said Connelly, whose first big move last summer was to acquire Gobert of Utah in a blockbuster trade.
In exchange for Gobert, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Minnesota gave Utah four first-round picks between 2023 and 2029, a first-round pick from the 2022 draft used for rookie-of-the-year nominee Walker Kessler. along with Malik Beasley.
The Wolves beat the Pelicans 113-108 to finish eighth in the Western Conference and draw a play-in tournament match against the Los Angeles Lakers by finishing ahead of New Orleans overall. They were headed for defeat and the bottom seed with a lifeless first half.
Jaden McDaniels lost his temper after hitting a wall through the tunnel in Sunday’s game
Wolves striker McDaniels will now be sidelined after allegedly breaking his hand
Unfortunately for Minnesota, defensive stopper Jaden McDaniels questioned his availability by hitting a wall in frustration. McDaniels is said to have broken his wrist.
Wolves announced at halftime that Gobert and McDaniels would not play the rest of the way. McDaniels, it turned out, had hit a wall in the tunnel leading to the dressing room out of frustration in the first quarter and couldn’t come back. ESPN and The Athletic reported McDaniels broke his hand.
“Immaturity has certainly been one of our problems all season,” said Finch.
Wolves have long been adept at making situations difficult for themselves. The easier games have actually been the toughest part for Wolves this season, with a total of 16 losses against the bottom 10 teams in the league. Win just two more of these and you would have avoided the play-in tournament. Four more wins and they would have fourth place and home field advantage in the first round.
“But those days are over. We have to focus on what we have now and move on,” said Finch.
The blow knocked him out of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ game against the New Orleans Pelicans