Rudy Gobert Accuses the NBA of Conspiring Against the Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert Accuses the NBA of Conspiring Against the Timberwolves

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:29 PM
  • Rudy Gobert has unleashed a scathing attack against NBA referees after the Minnesota Timberwolves' loss to the Phoenix Suns
  • Gobert accused the NBA of conspiring against his team because they are not a big market team
  • The Timberwolves are fighting for a playoff spot with just a few games left in the regular season

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert did not hold back against the NBA after his team lost to the Phoenix Suns 107-100.

With the NBA regular season entering a critical period for several teams in the Western Conference, they were looking to win their fifth straight game and jump the Warriors for the No. 6 seed.

Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, Karl-Anthony Towns, Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant
NBA referees have grabbed the headlines many times this season. Photo by Justin Ford.
Source: Getty Images

NBA referees have stolen the headlines several times this season. They missed a late call during the Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers in January, sparking widespread condemnation. They later admitted the mistake and apologized.

A few weeks ago, Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet unleashed a profanity-filled rant against referee Ben Taylor after they lost to the Clippers and he was later fined, per SI.

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Suns coach Monty Williams was also fined for directing criticism at the referees.

With a place in the playoffs at stake, Gobert felt the referees are conspiring against his team.

Gobert goes off against NBA

In the painful defeat to the Suns, Chris Finch shot 12 free throws while the hosts were awarded 27. Suns star Devin Booker had 15 attempts from the line, per SI.

"It's really not fair," Gobert said of the officiating. "Every night. I've been in this league for 10 years and I try to always give the benefit of the doubt, but it's hard for me to think [the officials] are not trying to help [the Suns] win tonight. It's hard for me to think they didn't try to help the Warriors win the other night, or the Sacramento Kings the other night," via CBS Sports.

Gobert added that the NBA wants top stars in the playoffs.

"We understand that we're not the biggest of the markets, and we're a team that ... I think you want to see [Kevin Durant] in the playoffs, Steph [Curry] in the playoffs, you want to see LeBron in the playoffs. The Timberwolves are not there yet."

The Timberwolves' rants against the referees and the NBA overshadowed their dismal second half in Phoenix.

According to the Athletic, the Timberwolves had 21 turnovers and missed 13 of their 18 three-pointers in the second half. Karl-Anthony Towns was incredible in the first half, scoring 20 points.

However, he only managed five shots and scored only five points.

Warriors collapse against Timberwolves

Sports Brief earlier reported on the Warriors suffering an uncharacteristic collapse late in their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Golden State looked like they were on their way to another home win with a 96-95 lead and possession of the ball with 16 seconds left.

The Warriors' Draymond Green had a costly turnover though, as Kyle Anderson stole his pass, and the Wolves quickly went on the attack.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.