Minnesota Timberwolves Center Rudy Gobert Suspended for Altercation with Teammate, Kyle Anderson.
The Minnesota Timberwolves center, Rudy Gobert, will miss the play-in tournament matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday due to a one-game suspension from the team. The suspension was issued following an altercation between Gobert and his teammate Kyle Anderson during a timeout huddle in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
During the timeout, Anderson reportedly told Gobert to block some shots. Gobert responded by telling Anderson to grab a rebound, to which Anderson responded with an expletive-laden insult. Gobert then punched Anderson in the chest, leading to the altercation.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Gobert was playing through a back injury during the game, and his behavior on the bench after the altercation was deemed unacceptable by the team. As a result, Gobert was sent home by the Wolves and suspended for the Lakers game.
Gobert apologized for his actions on Sunday night, taking to Twitter to express his remorse. He acknowledged that his emotions got the best of him and that he should not have reacted in the way that he did. He also apologized to the fans, the organization, and particularly to Kyle Anderson, whom he described as someone he truly loves and respects as a teammate.
According to Wojnarowski, Gobert is expected to return for Minnesota’s next game following his suspension. However, his absence in the Lakers game could prove costly for the Wolves, who need a win to secure the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. If they lose, they will host a must-win play-in game against the winner of the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 8 seed on Friday.
Rudy Gobert is not the only issue: Jaden McDaniels’ Season-Ending Injury
In addition to Gobert’s suspension, the Timberwolves will also be without Jaden McDaniels for the rest of the season. McDaniels reportedly suffered a fracture in his hand after punching the wall in the tunnel that leads to the locker room early in Sunday’s game.
It is a significant loss for the Timberwolves, as McDaniels has been an important contributor off the bench in his rookie season, averaging 12.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. His absence could also impact the Wolves’ chances in the play-in tournament and the playoffs, should they advance.
The Timberwolves will have to play without two key players, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels, in their crucial play-in game against the Lakers on Tuesday. Gobert’s suspension for his role in an altercation with teammate Kyle Anderson during the Pelicans game could prove costly for the team, while McDaniels’ season-ending injury will be a significant loss for the rest of the season. The Wolves will have to dig deep and rely on their remaining players to secure a win against the Lakers and advance to the playoffs.
