Tuesday night’s NBA in-season tournament matchup between the Warriors and Timberwolves got off to a frenzied start less than two minutes into the game.
Following a missed shot, Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels and Golden State’s Klay Thompson shoved and pulled at each other’s jerseys on their way down the court, quickly resulting in a confrontation involving every player on the floor. The fracas became serious when Draymond Green wrapped his arm around Rudy Gobert’s neck in a chokehold, turning a shoving match into a fight.
Players and referees broke the wrestling match up, ejecting McDaniels, Thompson, and Green from the game. Gobert was allowed to stay in because he was acting as a “peacemaker,” according to officials. Tensions eventually lowered and the game resumed, which the TWolves won, 104–101.
Afterward, Gobert had harsh words for Green, with whom he’s had an ongoing feud.
Things are getting HEATED and out of control early 👀 pic.twitter.com/q9tNRPUGIQ
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 15, 2023
“Just clown behavior,” Gobert said, via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Ron Kroichick. “I’m proud of myself for being the bigger man. It doesn’t even deserve me putting my hands on him.
“My team needed me tonight, so I wanted to keep my cool and not make the situation worse,” he continued. “I do hope the league is going to do what needs to be done, because that’s just clown behavior.”
Gobert went on to accuse Green of intentionally trying to get ejected because Steph Curry didn’t play in the game due to a sprained knee.
“It’s kind of funny because before the game I was telling myself Steph is not playing, so I know Draymond is going to try to get ejected,” Gobert said. “Every time Steph doesn’t play, he doesn’t want to play without his guy Steph, so he’s doing anything to get ejected. It’s all good.”
Early in the 2023-24 season, the TWolves are near the top of the NBA’s Western Conference standings while the Warriors hold what would be the last playoff spot. A playoff series between these two teams could be very entertaining.
