Rudy Gobert removed from game after swinging at Kyle Anderson
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert swung at teammate Kyle Anderson during a second-quarter timeout and was escorted to the locker room during Sunday afternoon's 113-108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Just after halftime, the Timberwolves announced Gobert was out for the remainder of the game.
Video of the incident showed Gobert and Anderson having words while standing on opposite ends of the Timberwolves huddle. The two continued to exchange words until Anderson said something Gobert took exception to. Gobert stepped over Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and then swung at Anderson, appearing to hit him in the chest.
Teammates went to separate the two, including Taurean Prince, who shoved Gobert back. Gobert was then escorted to the back and some teammates, including Austin Rivers, went to check on him while he was in the back.
"We made the decision to send Rudy Gobert home after the incident in the second quarter," Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said in a statement after the game. "His behavior on the bench was unacceptable and we will handle the situation internally."
The incident happened during a timeout with 4:23 left in the second quarter and the Wolves down by 12. Gobert was subbed out of the game at that moment, and Anderson took his place on the court.
The Timberwolves also lost forward Jaden McDaniels late in the first quarter due to fracturing his right hand, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Video caught McDaniels punching a wall while walking into the tunnel, though it's unclear if that is what caused the injury.
The victory on Sunday locked the Timberwolves into the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. They will play the Los Angeles Lakers in the play-in, with the victor set to play the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. The loser will play the winner of the second play-in matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder for the right to play the No. 1 seed Denver Nuggets.
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