Timberwolves send Rudy Gobert home after Kyle Anderson spat

Updated Apr 9, 2023 8:36 pm ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered Sunday still fighting for NBA playoff seeding. 

Apparently, they also chose to fight within themselves.

During a timeout in the second quarter of the Timberwolves' Sunday afternoon game against the New Orleans Pelicans, center Rudy Gobert was seen throwing a punch that landed in the chest area of teammate Kyle Anderson.

The television camera on the Minnesota bench showed Anderson and Gobert having a heated discussion before the incident. Coaches and players separated the two, and Gobert was quickly escorted to the locker room.

Initially, it was unclear what led to Gobert taking a swing at Anderson, but ESPN reported that the altercation was a result of a disagreement on the floor. 

The Timberwolves announced at halftime that Gobert would not play in the second half. Minnesota then sent Gobert home, according to multiple reports.

Minnesota President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly released a statement after the game.

Gobert then took to Twitter to issue an apology.

With their win Sunday, the Wolves secured the eighth seed. They will play the Los Angeles Lakers in the play-in tournament, with a chance to nab the 7-seed on the line.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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