Is Rudy Gobert suspended for the Lakers game after punch on Kyle Anderson? Exploring the viral rumors after the chaotic incident against the Pelicans.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ final regular NBA season game descended into chaos on Sunday night after teammates Rudy Gobert and Kyle Anderson had to be separated by staff.
The incident culminated in Gobert throwing a punch at teammate Kyle Anderson during a timeout in the second quarter of their 113-108 win over the Pelicans.
Gobert was sent down the tunnel into the locker room before being sent home by the organization.
“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.”
What caused the incident?
ESPN Insider Adrian Wojnarowski provided some clarity on the situation and what went down.
Woj tweeted: ‘Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert escalated a verbal argument to a physical encounter after Kyle Anderson told him to “Shut the f*** up, b****.” The disagreement started with Anderson telling Gobert to block some shots, Gobert telling him to grab a rebound – and ended with a punch and Gobert getting sent home.
‘Gobert later sent an apologetic text to teammates in a group chat, per Mike Conley. “We’ll speak about it and move on,” he said. “We’re grown men.”’
Has Rudy Gobert been suspended for punching Kyle Anderson?
After beating the Pelicans the Timberwolves secured the eighth seed in the Western Conference. That now sets up a play-in game with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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On social media, rumors circulated that Rudy Gobert is suspended for the Lakers game and isn’t allowed to play.
However, that is not officially the case as things stands.
Having said that, sources told ESPN that there’s a ‘possibility that center Rudy Gobert could be leveled with a team suspension for Tuesday’s Western Conference play-in game at the Los Angeles Lakers.’
The report added that what the Timberwolves decide to do with Gobert is still uncertain.
Gobert apologizes for his role in the incident
Gobert has already taken to social media to apologize for his actions.
“Emotions got the best of me today,” he wrote on Twitter. “I should not have reacted the way I did regardless of what was said. I wanna apologize to the fans, the organisation and particularly to Kyle, who is someone that I truly love and respect as a teammate.”
With or without Gobert, Minnesota will face the No.7 seeded Lakers in the first round of the Play-In Tournament.
If they win they will ensure they are the No.7 in the playoffs. If they lost they will play the winner of the No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans and No. 10 Oklahoma City Thunder in a winner-takes-all game for the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.
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