Rudy Gobert’s freak out in his Minnesota Timberwolves’ game may have repercussions within the club
Quelle: Getty Images via AFP/STEPHEN MATUREN
On the last regular day of the NBA season, emotions run high – especially with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Center Rudy Gobert attacks one of his teammates. Another professional is also swinging his fist – and is now threatening to drop out.
Dhe French basketball star Rudy Gobert lost his nerve on the last day of the NBA regular season and hit his teammate Kyle Anderson. The center was not allowed to continue the game of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the New Orleans Pelicans (113:108). Gobert faces a penalty from the Timberwolves, but it’s doubtful he will play in Tuesday’s play-in match against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gobert, who moved to Minnesota from the Utah Jazz last summer, had a heated argument with Anderson at the end of the second quarter. As Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was about to begin his speech, Gobert suddenly struck. Other players separated the two and pushed the Frenchman aside. According to journalist Adrian Wojnarowski from “ESPN”, Anderson is said to have asked his teammate Gobert to “block a few shots”. When he replied that Anderson should “get rebounds”, apparently insulting words were used, whereupon Gobert struck.
“Even veterans can get upset, so I don’t want to be too hard on him,” Finch showed a little understanding, but added: “But of course we can’t tolerate that.” According to “ESPN”, the Timberwolves are considering Gobert for the game to suspend against Los Angeles.
McDaniel’s punch arguably has more serious consequences
Gobert also commented on his freak out shortly after the game. “The emotions overwhelmed me today. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did, regardless of what was said,” the 30-year-old wrote ruefully on Twitter. “I want to apologize to the fans, the organization and especially Kyle who I really love and respect as a teammate.”
The beaten Anderson did not want to dramatize the incident. “Tempers were running high, we were in the middle of a game we wanted to win, a really important one. It is like it is. Shit happens.” It wasn’t the only incident at the Timberwolves that night.
Jaden McDaniels, teammate of Gobert and Anderson, also afforded a fist punch. The small forward boxed in frustration against a wall in the players’ tunnel and, according to media reports, broke his right hand. A loss to the Lakers places Minnesota in a knockout game against either the New Orleans Pelicans or the Oklahoma City Thunder for the playoffs.
