After a defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was fined $100,000, the most by an NBA player not banned this season, for alleging sports betting affected referees.
In a news statement, league vice president and chief disciplinarian Joe Dumars fined Gobert for flashing the money sign with both hands to officials after he was tagged for his sixth and disqualifying foul late in the fourth quarter.
The NBA released this. pic.twitter.com/afAFpiVTR7
On March 10, 2024, NBA Communications tweeted.
Gobert called his gesture “the truth — it’s what I truly believe,” which got a technical and led to a Cavaliers game-tying free shot.
Mistakes happen. Also, referees make mistakes. But sometimes I think it's more than errors. I believe all league members know. “I think it’s got to get better,” Gobert said after the Timberwolves’ overtime loss. “I know the betting and all that is growing, but it shouldn't feel that way.”
Gobert's prior criticism of officials was weighed when calculating the fine, the league said. Players who criticize referees are usually punished $10,000 to $30,000, although Gobert's teammate Anthony Edwards was fined $40,000 in January.
Given the seriousness of the implication, Gobert is lucky he wasn't suspended. He will wear Minnesota's uniform against the Lakers on Sunday in Los Angeles.
James Harden was the latest player to be fined $100,000 without being banned in August for refusing to fulfill his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Suspended players are "fined" by losing game checks to NBA-sponsored charities. Those penalties usually exceed $100,000.
Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images
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