Rudy Gobert ejected in first half after dirty play on Kenrich Williams

The Oklahoma City Thunder flew up north to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves which will tip off an 11-day, five-game road trip that will see OKC matchup with NBA Playoff caliber teams each step of the way, across four different timezones. Without Karl-Anthony Towns it was Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder in this one.

The OKC Thunder got off to a solid start in this one, shaking their bad habit of lacking energy and effort out of the gate. After a stellar first quarter that included great pacing, the Oklahoma City Thunder grew a 7-point lead, even surviving the non-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander minutes.

The Minnesota Timberwolves see Rudy Gobert get ejected against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the course of Saturday’s game in Minnesota

That is when the Minnesota Timberwolves lost the big man they sold the farm for. Rudy Gobert allowed a tough floater to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams as the two fell to the ground. As Williams got up, Gobert purposely tripped the veteran swingman which prompted the TCU product to hit and get in the face of the former All-Star big man.

Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach Dave Bliss quickly hopped off the bench to break up the altercation as OKC Thunder rookie Jalen Williams sprinted down the floor to do the same.

Fellow TCU Horn Frog and Memphis Grizzlies forward Desmond Bane tweeted Kenrich Williams “is not the one” for Rudy Gobert to mess with.

Gobert’s night is over after nine minutes of play, six points, and four rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Oklahoma City on December 16th to take on the OKC Thunder, and I assume the reception for Rudy Gobert…will not be warm.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ offense really picked up without Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns clogging up the lanes for star guard Anthony Edwards.  What do you think about Rudy Gobert’s actions in this game?

Follow along on the site for a recap and takeaways when the game is over.