Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert got in trouble again for his infamous 'money sign' hand gesture that he directed towards the refs, during the Timberwolves Game 4 loss vs. the Nuggets. Gobert was fined $75,000 for rubbing his fingers together, an action that the league defined as an "inappropriate and unprofessional gesture."
Joe Dumars, who is executive VP and the head of basketball operations for the NBA put out a statement regarding the Frenchman's behavior.
"Unprofessional gesture that questions the integrity of the league and its' game officials."
Rudy Gobert has been $75,000 for a money-sign gesture intended at referees in the Timberwolves Game 4 loss to the Nuggets, the league announced. pic.twitter.com/rzi0TGrv4w
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) May 14, 2024
When being asked what he thought of the punishment, Gobert said, "Not surprised."
Then the seven-footer was asked about what he meant by his gesture, in which he stated, "No message. Just emotions. I got to control my emotions. It was a very physical game, an emotional game. So I got to control my emotions."
Nevertheless, as mentioned in the league's statement, Dumars went on to clarify their reasoning for handing out the fine, "takes into account Gobert's history of improper conduct toward game officials."
That is to say, this is the second time Gobert made this hand gesture, as he was fined $100,000 in a game agianst the Cleveland Cavaliers back on March 8 for doing the same thing, in which he expressed his displeasure with referee Scott Foster's call.
Rudy Gobert gets a technical foul for making money gestures 😅pic.twitter.com/B52BQmIeBJ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 9, 2024
And after that first incident, Gobert seemingly had a message for rubbing his fingers together, as it was in reference to the NBA's recent sports betting partnerships, insinuating it is affecting calls made by the refs.
Gobert then alluded to that again after his second offense Sunday night.
"I'll bite the bullet again," Gobert told reporters. "I'll be the bad guy. I'll take the fine, but I think it's hurting our game. I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn't feel that way."
The fine might have put a damper on Gobert's week, which had been going pretty well, as the 31-year-old missed Game 2 for the birth of his son, Romeo, and was announced as the 2024 NBA Defensive Player of The Year winner.
Gobert is averaging 11.9 points (59.6% FG), 10.7 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game this postseason.
With the series tied 2-2, the Nuggets will host Gobert and the Timberwolves for Game 5, which will take place Tuesday night, May 14 at 10:30 pm ET (TNT).
Related: Rudy Gobert Threatens To 'Hold People Accountable' If NBA Doesn't
