Rudy Gobert can’t keep his thumb off his index and middle finger, and as a result, is out another $75,000.
Gobert, the Minnesota Timberwolves center, once again gave a referee a “money gesture,” and has once again been fined by the NBA.
In a short statement announced by Joe Dumars, the league’s executive vice president, head of basketball operations, Gobert was fined for “making an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture that questions the integrity of the league and its game officials.”
It happened during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets, and Gobert told reporters Tuesday that he was “not surprised,” according to an ESPN report.
“There was no message,” Gobert said. “Just emotions. I got to control my emotions. It was a very physical game, an emotional game. So I got to control my emotions.”
No lessons learned 51h5s
This was the second time in two months Gobert has been fined for making the gesture.
He was originallyonline sports betting apps – was damaging the league.
“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. I made some mistakes. I air-balled a dunk. Mistakes happen. Referees make mistakes, too. But sometimes I think it’s more than mistakes. I think everyone that’s in this league knows. I think it’s got to get better.”
The Timberwolves trail the Nuggets 3-2 in the series, with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday night in Minnesota.
