Some teams get hot and surge into the NBA’s play-in tournament. The Timberwolves are doing the opposite.
Minnesota center Rudy Gobert appeared to take a swing at forward Kyle Anderson on the Timberwolves’ bench Sunday afternoon, adding to a frustrating 2023 for a Minnesota team struggling to follow up its ’22 success.
Anderson and Gobert engaged in a heated argument that appeared to culminate with Gobert stepping toward Anderson and attempting to strike him the face. Forward Taurean Prince appeared to respond by shoving Gobert as coaches and players rushed to separate the two players.
The Timberwolves moved quickly to rule Gobert out for the rest of their game against the Pelicans, reportedly sending him home.
Oh my Rudy Gobert just threw a punch at his own teammate Kyle Anderson pic.twitter.com/6GP5wwkCqW
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 9, 2023
Timberwolves have sent Rudy Gobert home after Gobert threw punch at teammate Kyle Anderson during a timeout huddle, per sources. He is out for remainder of game.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 9, 2023
Anderson and Gobert have been frontcourt-mates since Minnesota acquired the three-time All-Star from the Jazz on July 6 and signed Anderson a day later.
Just yesterday, Gobert praised Anderson's leadership, telling the Star Tribune that Anderson "wants to win, and sometimes he's a little aggressive in the way he talks, but I don't take it personally.”
The Timberwolves have struggled to incorporate Gobert, regressing from a 46–36 record in 2022 to 41–40 in 2023. Gobert has hit five-year lows in scoring and rebounding and a nine-year low in shot-blocking.
