‘I lost control of my emotions,’ admits Rudy Gobert as NBA star fined $75,000 by league for playoff gesture

MINNESOTA Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert admitted he lost his cool when he made a money gesture to the referees during Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.

The NBA imposed a $75,000 fine on the four-time Defender of the Year for his actions, the league announced in a statement Tuesday.

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Gobert, 31, rubbed his fingers together, a sign associated with money, after being called for a foul while tackling Nuggets guard Jamal Murray for an offensive rebound in the fourth quarter on Sunday.

NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars called the gesture “inappropriate and unprofessional,” which “questions the integrity of the league and its officials.”

The fine “takes into account Gobert’s history of inappropriate conduct towards game officials,” the statement added.

“I’m not surprised,” Timberwolves star he said of the penalty kick before Tuesday’s Game 5, which the Timberwolves lost 97-112.

The Timberwolves fell to 2-3 in the series after the Nuggets won the last three games. Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday at 8:30 pm Eastern.

The 7-foot center said “there was no message” when explaining why he made the gesture.

But he also took responsibility for his actions.

“Just emotions,” said the Frenchman.

“I managed to control my emotions. It was a very physical game, an emotional game.

“So I was able to control my emotions.”

The Timberwolves trailed 109-97 with about four minutes left on the clock when Gobert directed the signal to the officials.

The Nuggets ended up winning 115-107 to tie the series at 2-2 after losing the first two games.

Minnesota coach Chris Finch came to the defense of the three-time All-Star, saying his frustration comes from the physicality he experiences on the court, which isn’t always called for.

Finch also highlighted that Murray made a similar gesture, in addition to throwing a towel and a heating pad on the floor in Game 2 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.

The Nuggets guard received a $100,000 fine for his conduct.

“I would like to see the detailed receipt [for Murray]” said Finch.

“Because if it’s $75,000 for the money gesture, then should it be $10,000 for the towel and $15,000 for the heating pad?

“So it’s kind of a mess for us.”

It’s not the first time Gobert has made the money gesture to dispute a call.

He did so in a March loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers to start the 2023-24 season, before suggesting the NBA had a betting problem.

Together with his comments, it cost him $100,000 – the maximum fine an NBA player can receive for conduct or statements deemed detrimental to the league.