Rudy Gobert addresses physical altercation

Rudy Gobert. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert addresses punching his teammate

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 4/10/23

Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert went on Twitter Sunday night to explain his physical altercation where he punched teammate Kyle Anderson during a timeout in the team's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

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 organisation and particularly to Kyle, who is someone that i truly love and respect as a teammate.
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) April 10, 2023

The incident happened during the second quarter and Gobert was sent home for the remainder of the contest.

Anderson addressed the situation with reporters after the win as well.

Gobert later sent an apologetic text to teammates in a group chat, per Mike Conley. “We'll speak about it and move on,” he said. “We're grown men.”
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 9, 2023

Kyle Anderson on Rudy Gobert incident: "It ain't the first time somebody swung on me. It is what it is. We keep it in house...We'll speak about it and move on. We grown men." pic.twitter.com/TEmcqalAiY
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 10, 2023

According to reports, Gobert hurt his back during Minnesota's win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday and almost didn't play against the Pelicans.

"He was sore, believed he was fighting through the discomfort and referred to those limitations with his back when arguing with Anderson, sources told ESPN’s @ZachLowe_NBA on Sunday night," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted.

The Anderson-Gobert dispute wasn't even the only notable punch thrown on the team during the first half of the regular-season finale. Breakout forward Jaden McDaniels suffered a season-ending hand fracture after he punched a wall in frustration.

Now, the Timberwolves will prepare to face the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday on the road in the play-in tournament without McDaniels, and possibly Gobert, depending on if the team decides to further discipline the big man.

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