(Photo : Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 29: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on March 29, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-100.
Rudy Gobert received a suspension by the Minnesota Timberwolves, pushing him out of the NBA play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, April 11.
Wolves slapped its center with a suspension after an altercation with his teammate. Gobert punched one of his teammates, Kyle Anderson, amid a huddle last April 9, Sunday. He is now facing the consequences of his actions. Thus, he will leave the playing court in their next game.
Rudy Gobert Suspension
As per ESPN, the Wolves center Gobert will miss out on the crucial match-up against the Lakers after his team slaps him with a one-game suspension. And as such, the all-star center will no longer travel with the Minnesota team for their Los Angeles play-in game.
The sports news outlet notes that the upcoming Lakers match-up is crucial for the Wolves. It would push them to the first-round playoff series if they ever bring home the bacon on the Tuesday game. And as such, Minnesota has to win the play-in match despite the absence of Gobert.
Other than the all-star center, power forward Jaden McDaniels will also miss out on the crucial match and other games moving forward. The latter recently figured in an injury wherein he fractured his third and fourth metacarpals. He got it after he punched a wall amid the Sunday game, the same match wherein Gobert threw a punch to Anderson.
Read Also: NBA COVID-19: Rudy Gobert's Microphone Stunt and Apology, Updates on Season Suspension
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers attempts to pass between Rudy Gobert #27 and Kyle Anderson #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on February 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Rudy Gobert Punches Teammate Kyle Anderson
According to NBC Sports, Gobert punched his Wolves teammate Anderson while they were in a timeout huddle in the second quarter of last Sunday's match.
It started with a heated verbal exchange between the Minnesota players, wherein Anderson asked the Stifle Tower to block some shots. The latter reportedly told the power forward to take some rebounds in response to him. Then, Anderson replied to him, saying, "Shut the f*ck up, b****." And from there, Gobert punched his teammate's chest.
The Wolves sent the three-time All-Star center home after the altercation. Now, he faces a one-game suspension. While the Gobert punching incident drew mixed reactions on social media, Golden States Warrior forward Draymond Green says it made him respect the Wolves center slightly more.
Clutch Points reports that he made such remarks in his recent podcast episode. Green shared how the violent reaction of Gobert to Anderson made him respect the former more than ever before.
He says that Anderson "uttered some words that a lot [of] people think." But he adds that he sees Gobert as "on the softer side." Yet, with the recent jumble, Green says the Wolves center "gained a little respect from me because he stood up for himself."
Related Article: San Antonio Spurs RUMORS: Kyle Anderson Earning A Bigger Role?
