The NBA fined Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert $100,000 after he alleged the league’s officials were influenced by gamblers during and after a 113-104 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
The league said in a statement Sunday that the unusually substantial fine “takes into account Gobert’s past instances of conduct detrimental to the Rudy Gobert with regard to publicly criticizing the officiating.”
With the Timberwolves clinging to a one-point lead in the last minute of regulation, Gobert was tagged for his sixth foul while struggling for a rebound with Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen.
After veteran official Scott Foster whistled the loose ball foul, Gobert pointed at Foster and made the “money fingers” gestures numerous times to insinuate the official was being unfairly influenced by gamblers—a move the league said was “inappropriate and unprofessional.” Gobert’s response caused a second official to assign him a technical foul, allowing a free throw to Cleveland that helped push the game to overtime. The Cavaliers defeated the Timberwolves 16-7 in the extra period.
Gobert said during a postgame interview that his “immature” behavior cost the Timberwolves the game but added that he believes gambling is “hurting our game.”
“I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way,” he said, according to the Athletic.
Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori, sitting in for Chris Finch, who was sick, called Gobert’s actions “unacceptable” given the circumstances.
“He made a visual that was automatic,” Nori remarked. “He was obviously frustrated—both teams were—but we have to be smarter.”
Federal investigators uncovered that disgraced former referee Tim Donaghy made more than 100 phone calls to Foster throughout the 2006–07 season. Donaghy resigned in 2007 after confessing to manipulating point spreads and betting on games, and he eventually pleaded guilty to federal charges. Foster, now a 30-year NBA veteran, said the conversations were not related to the gambling incident, and he was not charged with any wrongdoing.
Minnesota (44-20) is in tight competition with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets for the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed. The Timberwolves, who lost all-star player Karl-Anthony Towns to meniscus surgery this week, are seeking their first playoff series victory since 2004.
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