Rudy Gobert, center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, missed Game 2 of their playoff series against the Denver Nuggets in what turned out to be a controversial situation.
Initially, the Timberwolves announced Gobert would miss the game due to “personal reasons." Coach Chris Finch later clarified it was because his girlfriend, Julia Bonilla, was giving birth on early Monday. The game was scheduled for a 10 p.m. ET start on a Monday. While Gobert was present for the birth, bad weather in Denver caused flight delays, preventing him from rejoining the team in time.
Now, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas recently criticized Rudy Gobert for missing Game 2 to be present for the birth of his child. Arenas" comments came during an NBA show on [Show Name], where he expressed his opinion that Gobert"s decision lacked commitment to the team. He argued that while childbirth is a significant event, a playoff game is crucial as well, and a player should prioritize the team"s pursuit of a championship.
“It"s a baby, bro," Gilbert Arena said on Gil"s Arena podcast. “It"s gonna be there when you get back."
He added:
“Whatever you think you"re about to do with the baby, he gon" be asleep. I get that you want to be with your wife and smiling and stuff and your good NBA healthcare insurance … is because of you playing."
Rudy missin’ playoff games for…a baby?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/VrAxIwGsL0 pic.twitter.com/b4Od4MfzoE
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) May 7, 2024
Gobert"s absence was a significant blow to the Timberwolves" defense, especially against a strong Denver offense. The Timberwolves still held a 1-0 series lead entering Game 2.
Rudy Gobert and Julia Bonilla have opted to keep their relationship relatively private. There"s no public information about when or how Gobert and Bonilla met. In February 2024, Gobert took to Instagram to announce Bonilla"s pregnancy. The caption, simply “Legacy," hinted at their excitement about starting a family. Bonilla responded with “The better half of us."
FYI, Rudy Gobert welcomed his first child, a son, on May 2.
Next, Game 3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets will be played at the Timberwolves" home court, Target Center, on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 1:30 AM IST.
