Will the Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert return for the Play-In Tournament after being sent home for punching Kyle Anderson?
Though they got the all important win, Sunday night’s victory was definitely marred by the unsportsmanlike conduct of the Timberwolves center.
With the team set to handle the matter internally, we can only wait an see what kind of consequences the French star will face, after he reacted violently towards his own teammate.
Rudy Gobert sent home for punching teammate
If you caught the Minnesota Timberwolves game on Sunday night, then you would have seen the drama that unfolded in the second quarter of the game, when center Rudy Gobert was sent home after he threw a punch at teammate, Kyle Anderson. Needless to say it was not an ideal moment for the Timberwolves who were in desperate need of a win in order to clinch the No. 8 seed in the Play-In Tournament. Luckily, the team was able to hang on without their star and in the end managed to clinch a 113-108 win.
“We made the decision to send Rudy Gobert home after the incident in the second quarter,” Timberwolves president Tim Connelly said in a statement. “His behavior on the bench was unacceptable and we will handle the situation internally.” To his credit, Gobert apologized in the team’s group chat according to Mike Conley Jr. who added that the team hopes to move past the incident. “We’ll speak about it and move on,” Conley said. “We’re grown men.”
What happened between Rudy Gobert and Kyle Anderson?
As mentioned above, it was during the second quarter while head coach Chris Finch was addressing the team. At the time, Anderson and Gobert could be seen engaged in a heated discussion that, which was later reported to be about defense and rebounding. Anderson then said to Gobert, “shut the f--- up bitch,” at which point the Frenchman threw a punch at Anderson’s chest. At that point, Taurean Prince quickly pushed Gobert back before the rest of the team and coaching staff reacted by separating the players. Gobert was then escorted to the locker room after which he was told to go home.
Does Kyle Anderson have a problem or do the Timberwolves?
One interesting point to note, was that which was made by Chris Hine of the Minnesota Star-Tribune who explained that he had been talking with Gobert about Anderson’s manner as he compiles information for piece on the latter’s leadership. Here’s what Gobert apparently said.
“Kyle wants to win, and sometimes he’s a little aggressive in the way he talks, but I don’t take it personally,” Gobert said. “I receive it in a positive way because it comes from a place of wanting me to be the best Rudy I can be and wanting us to win. I love his competitiveness, love the way he plays the game. The way he makes others around him better. He’s been a huge part of this year.” Could it be that it was just a moment where tempers ran hot, or is it that things are finally coming unstuck in the wake of failed expectations. Consider for a moment, that Gobert’s arrival was extremely costly in that it the Timberwolves give up Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, four first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029) and a first-round pick swap (2028). As you can imagine, things were supposed to get better not worse, but here we are with the team having just made it into the Play-In Tournament and on a record of 42-40. Ultimately, it’s clear that Minnesota’s roster has not worked in the way the franchise would have been hoping. So, perhaps what we just witnessed was simply frustrations coming to the surface.
What happens to Rudy Gobert now?
At this point, all we know is that the team intends to handle the matter internally. What that means is unclear, but what is clear is that the Timberwolves will face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the Play-In Tournament which means there isn’t much time - if any - to sort this situation out. It goes without saying that if Minnesota is to make any headway in the post season, Gobert will have to be on the court. Should they beat the Lakers, they will clinch the No. 7 seed in the playoffs, if they lose they will host the winner of the Pelicans vs Thunder game for a chance at the No. 8 seed. In other words, it’s now or never for Gobert and the Timberwolves.