Rudy Gobert Fined Again for Directing Money Gesture at Officials

Dan Gartland | May 14, 2024

TNT

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been fined $75,000 for “making an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture that questions the integrity of the league and its game officials,” the NBA announced Tuesday.

In the fourth quarter of Game 4 of Minnesota’s series against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Gobert was whistled for a foul after he shoved Denver’s Jamal Murray in the back while fighting for an offensive rebound. Gobert responded by rubbing his fingers together in a gesture commonly associated with money.

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— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) May 13, 2024

This is the second time in the past two months that Gobert has been punished for making the gesture after a call he disagreed with. On March 8, Gobert made the gesture after fouling out of a one-point game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with less than 30 seconds to play. He was assessed a technical foul for the gesture, and the Cavs’ Darius Garland hit the technical free to tie the game. (Minnesota eventually lost in overtime.)

After the Cleveland game, Gobert also implied that officials can be influenced by sports betting.

“I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way,” Gobert said.

Gobert was fined $100,000 for the gesture and his comments after the March game. The NBA said that the fine he was issued on Tuesday “takes into account Gobert’s history of improper conduct toward game officials.”