Following the Minnesota Timberwolves’ overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, center Rudy Gobert could be facing a substantial fine from the NBA. In the final seconds of regulation, Gobert received his sixth foul and was subsequently called for a technical foul for making a money gesture, suggesting the referees were manipulating the game. Despite the Wolves leading 97-96 at the time, they ended up losing in overtime with Gobert on the bench.
Gobert expressed frustration after being called for a foul while trying to secure an offensive rebound. Although he acknowledged that his reaction was inappropriate, he stood by his gesture, implying that gambling is an issue in the NBA and could be influencing referees.
ALSO READ:Looking at the Court’s Elite: Top 5 Most Popular Shoes Among NBA Players in 2024
“I’ll take the fine, but I think it’s hurting our game,” Gobert said. “I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way.”
While Gobert admitted his reaction was immature and cost his team the game, he maintained that his belief in the influence of gambling on referees was genuine. This incident is not the first time such a gesture has been made by an NBA player, with Luka Doncic and Trae Young also using it to suggest referee bias in previous games.
A venerable sports journalist boasting two decades of expertise. Renowned as a reliable authority in sports reporting, Khan’s meticulous approach shines through as he delves into the intricacies of NFL plays, dissects NHL strategies, unravels the finesse of soccer, and deciphers the tactics of basketball. With an unwavering commitment to storytelling, Khan invites you to join him in exploring the dynamic world of athletics, where his nuanced understanding of athletes, strategies, and narratives unfolds across the NFL, NHL, Football, Soccer, Basketball, and beyond.
