Kevin Garnett Offers Optimistic Outlook on Rudy Gobert, Kyle Anderson Dispute

The former Timberwolves great had a unique perspective on Sunday’s altercation.
Kevin Garnett Offers Optimistic Outlook on Rudy Gobert, Kyle Anderson Dispute
Kevin Garnett Offers Optimistic Outlook on Rudy Gobert, Kyle Anderson Dispute /

While the NBA world fired off hot takes over the Timberwolves’ drama on Sunday, franchise legend Kevin Garnett offered a much more optimistic take on the situation.

During Sunday’s game against the Pelicans, Minnesota’s star center Rudy Gobert threw a punch at teammate Kyle Anderson following a dispute during a timeout. The two were separated from one another and the team opted to send Gobert home from the game.

Despite the controversial incident during the T-Wolves’ regular-season finale, Garnett thinks it can be used as a way to energize the team. The 46-year-old offered a refreshing perspective on drama in Minnesota.

“Nothing like a scuffle to tighten up the screws before the playoffs! LFG Timberwolves!” wrote Garnett on Twitter. 

Rather than considering Sunday’s outburst between Gobert and Anderson to be a negative thing, Garnett indicated he expects the team to use it as fuel for the playoffs. It should be noted that Garnett could be a bit biased here as a longtime Timberwolf, but he also has plenty of postseason experience to suggest he may be onto something.

The Timberwolves are slated to face the Lakers in play-in tournament after finishing the regular season in eighth place in the Western Conference. They’ll be without star defender Jaden McDaniels, who injured his hand after punching a wall during the win. 

Despite tensions running high during Sunday’s game against the Pelicans, the Timberwolves actually rallied and earned a comeback victory. Garnett is hoping to see more of that from the team with the postseason just around the corner, and it would ultimately be very interesting if the feud between Anderson and Gobert ended up bringing the team together.


Published
Karl Rasmussen
KARL RASMUSSEN

Karl Rasmussen is a staff writer for the Breaking and Trending News team for Sports Illustrated. A University of Oregon alum who joined SI in February 2023, his work has appeared on 12up and ClutchPoints. Rasmussen is a loyal Tottenham, Jets, Yankees and Ducks fan.