The NBA announced Sunday that Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is being fined $100,000 for “directing an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official, and publicly criticizing the officiating.”
During a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, Gobert fouled out with 27.8 seconds left and his team leading, 97–96. The French center made a money gesture at the referees, resulting in a one-shot technical foul for Cleveland.
Cavaliers guard Darius Garland made the free throw to send the game to overtime, and Cleveland went on to win the game 113–104.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/afAFpiVTR7
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 10, 2024
Gobert accepted blame for the loss afterward but also implied that the referees were influenced by sports gambling.
“I made some mistakes. I air-balled a dunk. Mistakes happen. Referees make mistakes, too,” Gobert said, via Joe Vardon and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “But sometimes I think it’s more than mistakes. I think everyone that’s in this league knows. I think it’s got to get better.
“I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way,” Gobert continued.
Rudy Gobert gets a technical foul for making the money sign at officials after fouling out. pic.twitter.com/AXdGSkowMU
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 9, 2024
The loss, coupled with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s win over the Miami Heat on Friday, dropped Minnesota (44–20) to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference behind the Thunder.
