Rudy Gobert suspended a game for punching teammate, will miss Timberwolves vs. Lakers play-in

The Minnesota Timberwolves suspended center Rudy Gobert one game for throwing a punch at teammate Kyle Anderson during Sunday’s season finale, forcing Gobert to miss Tuesday’s play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Cameras caught the exchange between Gobert and Anderson, who got into a heated altercation Sunday during a timeout in Minnesota’s game against New Orleans. A team staffer tried to hold Gobert’s arm but he eventually threw a punch at Anderson’s left shoulder.

The Timberwolves defeated the Pelicans and finished in eighth place, setting up Tuesday’s matchup against the Lakers.

Gobert’s absence hurts Minnesota’s chance of winning in Los Angeles. Regardless of the outcome, Gobert will return to the team for a first-round playoff series if the Timberwolves beat the Lakers or for another play-in game if the Lakers win.

The Athletic reported Anderson called Gobert a (expletive) on a day when Gobert had been listed on the injury report as questionable with back spasms.

The Timberwolves are shorthanded at center. Naz Reid sustained a fracture to his left wrist March 29 and had surgery last week. Without Gobert in the second half against the Pelicans, Karl-Anthony Towns played center and Minnesota used a smaller lineup.

Minnesota acquired Gobert in July and the deal has been under intense scrutiny.

The Timberwolves sent 2022 first-round pick Walker Kessler and four future first-round picks to Utah in the deal. Karl-Anthony Towns missed a chunk of the season with an injury, and the Timberwolves struggled to mesh.

However, the Timberwolves improved defensively and had the league’s 10th-best defense. Gobert was a big part of that. Minnesota allowed 110.3 points per 100 possessions with Gobert on the court, and 113.7 when he wasn’t playing.

Gobert wasn’t the only one who threw a punch that turned into another problem for the Timberwolves. Jaden McDaniels, another key defender, punched an inanimate object in the Timberwolves’ tunnel, injuring his right hand. Minnesota ruled him out for the remainder of the game, and he was seen covering his hand with a towel. The Timberwolves fear he fractured his hand.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota Timberwolves suspend Rudy Gobert for punching Kyle Anderson