The NBA fined Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert $100,000 on Sunday for demanding money from officials and criticizing referees on Friday night.
Joe Dumars, NBA executive vice president and chief of basketball operations, said in a statement: “The fine is based on Gobert's past instances of conduct detrimental to the NBA, including publicly criticizing referees.” did.
During the Timberwolves' 113-104 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, Gobert was called for a technical foul near the end of regulation, but he rubbed his fingers together repeatedly and was hit by referee Scott Foster. It suggested that he might be making a judgment call.
After being whistled for his sixth foul and being disqualified, Gobert sat on the floor and gestured to Foster as he headed to the scorer's box. Mr. Foster did not meet Mr. Gobert, but the agency's Natalie Sago did and issued a technical letter.
His technical allowed the Cavaliers to tie the game.
After the game, Gobert, known for his outspokenness, did not deny his actions and went further by saying that sports betting may have had a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
“I'll try again,” Gobert said Friday night. “I'll be the bad guy. I'm going to pay the fine, but I think it's hurting our game. I know the stakes and everything is getting bigger and bigger, but it shouldn't feel that way.” .
Minnesota assistant Mika Nori, who replaced Timberwolves coach Chris Finch when he was sick just before tipoff, criticized Gobert's actions.
“Honestly, a technical foul 27 seconds into the game is unacceptable,” Nori said. “That's Rudy, but we've got to be smarter. He made the visuals automatically. He was obviously frustrated — so were both teams — but we've got to be smarter. Don’t do it.”
Gobert, who had 17 rebounds in 37 minutes, agreed he needed to stay calm.
“I think my reaction was genuine, but it wasn't the time to react that way,” the 7-foot-1 center said. “It cost the team the game. It was an immature response.”
This is the fourth time Gobert has been fined for criticizing public officials.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.