Timberwolves enter the play-in tournament in disarray

Just when you thought the Minnesota Timberwolves were flying high on all cylinders heading into the play-in tournament after a franchise-record setting performance on Saturday in a 151-131 win over the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota is anything but stable heading into their game in Los Angeles against the Lakers on Tuesday night. Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert of Saint-Quentin, France has been suspended one game, while forward Jaden McDaniels is out with a broken hand, and center Karl-Anthony is questionable with a right calf strain.

Gobert was suspended for one game by the NBA for punching teammate Kyle Anderson during an altercation on Sunday, a 113-108 Minnesota win over the New Orleans Pelicans. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Gobert believed Anderson needed to rebound more, while Anderson thought Gobert needed to do a better job blocking.

Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 27)

This is not the first time that Gobert has been at the center of controversy. Immediately prior to being the first NBA player to get coronavirus, he was criticized for not taking the pandemic seriously when he touched every microphone during a press conference while with the Utah Jazz.

This is not the first time there has a been a high-profile fight between teammates in the last year. In Golden State Warriors training camp prior to the beginning of the 2022-23 NBA regular season, Draymond Green punched Warriors teammate Jordan Poole. You could make the argument that the altercation led to the Warriors struggles on the road this season, where they had an awful record of 11 wins and 30 losses.

The Lakers meanwhile need to be considered the heavy favourite on Tuesday, and you should pick them with confidence at -8.5.

Fill In The Form Below To Receive Our NBA News Straight To Your Email For FREE!