Rudy Gobert Calls Out NBA Officials Following Loss To Cavaliers

Rudy Gobert fouled out in the Cleveland Cavaliers-Minnesota Timberwolves matchup after receiving a technical foul.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' victory on Friday night was a gritty one that came down to the battle in the pain. Jarrett Allen finished with a new career-high 33 points in the effort receiving praise from his teammates and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

However, the other locker room wasn't as thrilled about the outcome. Rudy Gobert made sure to let his frustrations be known and suggested something else may have been motivating the officials in some of their calls. 

After Gobert committed his fifth personal foul, he made the universal money gesture to the referees. (A gesture that probably took Cleveland fans right back to the Johnny Manziel-Browns era. Yikes.)

The Timberwolves center doubled down on the gesture after the game. 

“I made some mistakes," said Gobert (via The Athletic). "I air-balled a dunk. Mistakes happen. Referees make mistakes, too. 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."

These are some massive allegations that will most likely result in a fine for the All-Star caliber center.

Mar 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after fouling out during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, Cleveland did take their fair share of free throws. However, the fouls that Gobert committed sure look like fouls. You can visibly see Allen's jersey being pulled on the over-and-back call that ended up being Rudy's fifth personal.

Plus, there were certainly moments in the game when the Cavaliers were frustrated with the officiating too. Dean Wade was yanked to the ground by Gobert in the first quarter and looked at the ref with his hands in the air in disbelief that nothing was called.

 The difference here was that the Cavs didn't let the officiating affect the end result.