The NBA on Sunday charged Minnesota center Rudy Gobert with making a gesture during a Friday night game that suggested referees were improperly influenced by gambling and related calls. It was announced that a fine of $1.00 was imposed.
During Friday’s game between the Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Gobert rubbed his fingers together and made a money sign gesture to referee Scott Foster after he was called for a technical foul with seconds left in regulation.
According to a report in the Washington Post, the second referee called a technical foul and the Cavaliers were awarded free throws, ultimately sending the game into overtime, which the Cavaliers ultimately won.
Gobert said in his postgame interview that he thought gambling was “having a negative effect on our game,” adding, “I know the stakes and everything is getting bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way. No,” The Athletic reported.
The $100,000 fine is the highest fine the NBA can impose under the new collective bargaining agreement that went into effect last year, according to the Associated Press.
An NBA statement said the fine was “in light of Gobert’s past conduct that was detrimental to the NBA by publicly criticizing referees.”
The NBA said in a statement that Gobert directed “inappropriate and unprofessional gestures toward game officials” and publicly criticized the referee.
According to the Associated Press, this is the fourth time Gobert has been fined as a result of public criticism of officials.
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