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Star Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been suspended for one game following his dustup with teammate Kyle Anderson on Sunday in which he threw a punch at Anderson during a timeout.

Gobert will miss Minnesota’s play-in matchup against the Lakers on Tuesday night, the team announced.

The one-game ban was imposed by the team, not the NBA.

The 30-year-old Gobert was involved in a heated scuffle with Anderson, 29, during the Timberwolves’ 113-108 win over the Pelicans on Sunday.

Gobert, a three-time NBA All-Star, threw a swing at Anderson in the second quarter of the game, with Minnesota players immediately separating the two.

“It’s not something we condone. Veterans can get upset, too, so I don’t want to be too hard on him,” coach Chris Finch said after the game. “But obviously it’s not something we’re going to be able to tolerate here.”

Anderson allegedly told Gobert to block shots while the latter implored Anderson to get a rebound, ESPN reported.


  Rudy Gobert threw a punch at Timberwolves teammate Kyle Anderson during a game against the Pelicans on April 9, 2023. Twitter Rudy Gobert threw a punch at Timberwolves teammate Kyle Anderson during a game against the Pelicans on April 9, 2023. Twitter

Tensions boiled over when Anderson told Gobert to “shut the f–k up, b–ch.”

Gobert was sent home after the scuffle and issued an apology on Twitter.

“Emotions got the best of me today. I should not have reacted the way i did regardless of what was said. I wanna apologize to the fans, the organization and particularly to Kyle, who is someone that I truly love and respect as a teammate,” he tweeted.


  Kyler Anderson is held back by a Timberwolves teammate after a scuffle with Rudy Gobert on April 9, 2023. Getty Images Kyler Anderson is held back by a Timberwolves teammate after a scuffle with Rudy Gobert on April 9, 2023. Getty Images

Though Gobert will miss Tuesday’s game, he is slated to return should the Timberwolves lose to the Lakers and partake in another play-in game, or advance to the postseason.

The winner of Tuesday’s contest between the Timberwolves and Lakers will face the No. 2 seed Grizzlies in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The Timberwolves will be shorthanded in more ways than one Tuesday.


  Rudy Gobert (27) during the Timberwolves’ game against the Pelicans on April 9, 2023. Getty Images Rudy Gobert (27) during the Timberwolves’ game against the Pelicans on April 9, 2023. Getty Images

Minnesota lost forward Jaden McDaniels for the remainder of the year after he fractured his right hand punching a wall in frustration during Sunday’s game.

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