Jazz Players, Fans Take Issue With Late Layup By Wolves’ Rudy Gobert
Dec 9, 2022, 9:59 PM | Updated: 10:00 pm
Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) carries the ball while playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – A couple of Jazz players and fans at Vivint Arena took issue with a layup by Rudy Gobert in the closing second of the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ victory over Utah.
The Jazz hosted the Wolves at Vivint Arena on Friday, December 9.
With 2.1 seconds left in the game and the Wolves up 116-108, Kyle Anderson passed the ball into the paint and Gobert put the ball into the hoop.
Fans in the crowd immediately sent boos onto the court. Prior to the game and during the first quarter, the crowd showered the former Jazz center with applause.
Will Hardy did not like Rudy Gobert laying in the ball up 8 in the final seconds with the game already in hand.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 10, 2022
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The Jazz inbounded the ball and the clock ran out to give Minnesota a 118-108 win. Following the final buzzer, Malik Beasley went up to Gobert and exchanged words with the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Former Wolves and current Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt pushed Gobert before the opposing players were separated.
After the game, Wolves head coach Chris Finch and Jazz head coach Will Hardy were both asked about Gobert’s bucket.
“It was a nice layup,” Hardy said.
“Don’t press us,” Finch told the media. “If you’re going to press us, we’re going to lay it in.”
Finch on the dustup at the end between Malik and Rudy: "Don't press us. If you're going to press us, we're going to lay it in."
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) December 10, 2022
Beasley also addressed his exchange with Gobert.
“It was just disrespectful,” the Jazz guard said.
Malik Beasley on what he said to Rudy Gobert after the layup under the rim in the final seconds.
"It was just disrespectful," Malik Beasley said. "Unwritten rule of basketball and I told him that."#TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/uDHgXPUyfM
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 10, 2022
Midway through the final quarter, Minnesota players, especially Austin Rivers, appeared to take issue with a celebration by Beasley.
With 5:23 left to play, Beasley, a former Wolves guard, knocked down a three-pointer near Minnesota’s bench and celebrated with a shimmy in the face of some of his old teammates.
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) December 10, 2022
Gobert finished his first game back in Utah with 22 points on 8-11 field goals. He added 13 rebounds and an assist in 37 minutes.
"I just love to win. I want to win every night."
Rudy Gobert talks with @KatieStorm following the win in Utah! #RaisedByWolves pic.twitter.com/1phN8GqQpE
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) December 10, 2022
Beasley had a team-high 23 points on 9-18 shooting, including 5-12 from three. He added four rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 36 minutes on the court.
Vanderbilt had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench.
With the loss, the Jazz fell to a 15-13 record this season, including 9-5 at home. Minnesota improved to 13-12 overall and 6-5 away from Target Center.
Utah’s next game is on the road against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, December 10 at 7 p.m. (MDT). The game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
