Rudy Gobert will have to put his hand in his wallet. Expelled during the night from Friday to Saturday, during the match against the Cleveland Cavaliers after making a hand gesture implying that a referee was corrupt, the Minnesota Timberwolves pivot will have to pay a fine. Salty! The NBA revealed this Sunday the amount of this sanction: $100,000.
“Rudy Gobert was fined $100,000 for making an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture to a match official and for publicly criticizing the refereeing,” explained the American League in a press release, specifying that “the fine takes into account the fact that Gobert has already engaged in behavior detrimental to the NBA by publicly criticizing refereeing. »
The Frenchman got annoyed 27 seconds from the end of regulation time after being penalized for a decisive offensive rebound. Sent off, he was unable to participate in overtime, abandoning his team which ultimately lost (113-104). “It cost my team the victory,” admitted Gobert, future father, after the match. It was an immature reaction, everyone can make mistakes. »
However, he felt he was right. “I am convinced that I was right. Everyone in the NBA knows things need to improve. I will still be the bad guy who tells the truth. Again, I will accept the fine. But I think it hurts our sport,” he assured, pointing out the abuses of sports betting. Statements which undoubtedly weighed in the balance when deciding the amount of his fine.
