BREAKING: Gobert Suspended; Forward Breaks Hand

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team has been forced to suspend former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert for their crucial Play-In Game Tuesday night. 

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert isn’t traveling with team to LA and won’t play vs. the Lakers on Tuesday in the Play-In tournament, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Gey3twxchn

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2023

Gobert was suspended by his team as a result of his egregious actions in their final regular season game on Sunday, when he threw a punch at teammate Kyle Anderson on the sideline during a timeout.  

As noted by NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Gobert will not travel with the team to LA where they'll be taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in the 7 vs 8 seed game. The winner of the game automatically advances to the full playoffs with the No. 7 seed, to take on the No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. 

The loser, however, will be forced to win a do-or-die game against the winner of the West's second Play-In game, the 9 vs 10 seed game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans. 

The T-Wolves will be without not only Gobert for the first Play-In game, but also defensive standout Jaden McDaniels, who broke his hand punching a wall in frustration after the disastrous game on Sunday.

After sending Rudy Gobert home for punching a teammate, Jaden McDaniels fractured his hand punching a wall.

Timberwolves are playoff ready. pic.twitter.com/MvZBMUqC2P

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 9, 2023

McDaniels was walking off the court, into the tunnel, frustrated, when he decided to take a shot at an innocent wall. The wall won, and McDaniels is out for the season.

Photo: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports