Draymond Green Blasts Rudy Gobert for Punching Timberwolves Teammate Kyle Anderson

Draymond Green Blasts Rudy Gobert for Punching Timberwolves Teammate Kyle Anderson

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:30 PM
  • Draymond Green has weighed in on Rudy Gobert punching his teammate Kyle Anderson
  • Gobert swung at Anderson during a timeout in their final regular season game
  • He was suspended for one game, their play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers

The 2022/23 NBA regular season ended dramatically for the Minnesota Timberwolves as Rudy Gobert punched his teammate Kyle Anderson during a huddle. Gobert was suspended for their play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers

Golden State Warriors veteran forward Draymond Green empathized with Gobert but said it was the wrong decision to punch his teammate.

Draymond Green, Rudy Gobert, NBA, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Kyle Anderson, Jordan Poole
Draymond Green also punched Warriors teammate Jordan Poole last year. Photos by Dustin Bradford and Stephen Maturen.
Source: Getty Images

Green knows how it feels to punch his teammate. The 33-year-old punched Warriors guard Jordan Poole in practice before this season started. He was fined by the organization, per CBS Sports.

Gobert's actions came during a timeout in their final regular season game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, April 9th, 2023. They pulled off a vital 113-108 win.

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However, due to the incident, the Timberwolves' depth took a huge dent. Against the Lakers, they'll be without Gobert, backup center Naz Reid, and their best perimeter defender in Jaden McDaniels, per SI.

Green addresses Gobert's actions

Green received widespread condemnation for punching Poole and admitted it affected his team. He said the Frenchman was on the softer side but said he respects him for standing up for himself.

"I personally think Rudy Gobert is a little on the softer side, myself," Green said on the latest episode of his podcast. "He gained a little respect from me because he stood up for himself. I've never really seen the guy stand up for himself. Didn't really know if the guy was capable of standing up for himself," via Bleacher Report.

Green added that punching Anderson was the wrong decision for the Frenchman.

"Unfortunately for Rudy Gobert, it was the wrong decision."

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) will be available to play if the Timberwolves lose to the Lakers in their play-in game or in the playoffs if they go through.

The Timberwolves acquired Gobert in a blockbuster trade from the Utah Jazz and averaged 13.6 points and 11.8 rebounds in 69 games this season.

Gobert accuses NBA of conspiring

Sports Brief earlier reported on Gobert accusing NBA referees of conspiring against his team after they lost 107-100 to the Phoenix Suns.

He accused officials of unfair officiating in the Wolves' recent games, claiming the association wanted to see top stars in the playoffs.

"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."
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.