The Minnesota Punching Timberwolves

Too Close of a Huddle

When Rudy Gobert joined the Timberwolves this off-season, the team likely hoped the physical for Defensive Player of the Year would bring a fighting energy to the team. They probably imagined him as a defensive leader and a physical rim protector.

What they likely didn’t envision? Gobert taking a swipe at teammate Kyle Anderson during a timeout. The incident started with Gobert and Anderson taking shots at one another’s play during the game. Gobert wanted to see more rebounds from Anderson while Anderson felt it was time for Gobert to back up his reputation as one of the premier blockers in the game.

The exchange led to Anderson instructing Gobert to “Shut the f*** up b****”. Incensed, Gobert decided he had enough and took a swing at his teammate. As a result, the Timberwolves sent Gobert home in the middle of a game that controlled their play-in positioning.

The Undefeated Champion

While tempers were already flaring for the Timberwolves, things took a bizarre turn a few moments later, when a frustrated Jaden McDaniels made his way towards the locker room. Upset with his play after picking up his second foul, McDaniels decided to take out his frustrations, on a padded wall.

Unfortunately for the Timberwolves forward, he quickly learned why punching a wall is never a good idea. Immediately following the punch, you can see McDaniels shaking his hand in pain as he makes his way to the Minnesota locker room.

Eventually, it was revealed that McDaniels had broken his hand and will now miss the remainder of the season. With the Timberwolves headed to the play-in game, the team will certainly miss their young forward.

It is unclear at this time if the inanimate wall said anything that might have provoked such an attack from McDaniels.

Moving Forward

Sadly for the Timberwolves, this type of fighting is never the sign of a stable team. Making it to the play-in game in the loaded west was certainly an accomplishment for this team. However, it doesn’t feel like the team will make it past the play-in games.

While it remains to be seen what Gobert’s status is for the Postseason, losing McDaniels will hurt. If the team somehow does manage to make it to the first-round, good luck facing either Memphis or Denver.