Key Player Suspended For Timberwolves-Lakers Game

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Rudy Gobert will be suspended for Tuesday's game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers.

On Tuesday evening, the Minnesota Timberwolves will play their play-in tournament game on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers in California.    

For the game, they will be without one of their most important players, as three-time NBA All-Star Rudy Gobert has been suspended (according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski).  

Wojnarowski's first tweet: "Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert isn’t traveling with team to LA and won’t play vs. the Lakers on Tuesday in the Play-In tournament, sources tell ESPN."

Wojnarowski's second tweet: "Gobert will serve a one-game suspension and is expected to return if the Wolves lose to the Lakers and play another play-in game, or advance into the Western Conference playoffs, sources said."

Gobert will serve a one-game suspension and is expected to return if the Wolves lose to the Lakers and play another play-in game, or advance into the Western Conference playoffs, sources said. https://t.co/JMSdwm7P2o

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2023

The suspension comes after an altercation in the middle of a timeout during Sunday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Gobert and Kyle Anderson were seen arguing, and the 30-year-old center tried to punch Anderson. 

Kyle Anderson and Rudy Gobert had to be held back after Gobert swung at Anderson in HEATED exchange 😳 pic.twitter.com/jvB9xawHNn

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 9, 2023

Gobert spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Utah Jazz before being traded in a blockbuster deal over the summer. 

He finished his first regular season in Minnesota with solid averages of 13.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.4 blocks per contest in 70 games while shooting 65.9% from the field.

The Timberwolves had to suspend Gobert for throwing a punch, but accepted that it was a shot to chest with no intent to injure Kyle Anderson and understood that Anderson called Gobert a “bitch” repeatedly on a night Gobert was playing hurt, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2023

That said, the trade has been a disappointment so far. 

Last year, the Timberwolves made the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2018 season and went 46-36 during the regular season (they finished as the seventh seed). 

This year, they are the ninth seed and went 42-40.