The start of the new season did not go according to plan for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The semi-finalist from the last playoffs lost seven of the first 15 games. The lack of success did not leave the players unaffected.
Things just aren’t going well in Minneapolis yet. After the trade for Julius Randle, the newly formed team is still looking for its rhythm. On Thursday night, Anthony Edwards and Co. also lost to the underdog Toronto Raptors, with center Rudy Gobert and newcomer Randle getting into a verbal altercation.
The trigger was a situation in the fourth quarter. Gobert managed to engage Toronto’s Scottie Barnes in a mismatch under the basket, whereupon he called for a pass from Julius Randle. When the latter did not comply, the Frenchman lost his temper.
Gobert: “I want to lead by example”
Distracted by his emotions, Gobert remained in the zone for too long, which was penalized with a three-second violation and two free throws for the opponent. In the next scene, Gobert also got a whistle against him after a careless foul. Minnesota lost focus during this phase of the game and later the game itself.
“I’ve already told the guys. I want to lead by example and I didn’t do that at that moment,” the center later admitted. ‘I let my emotions get the better of me. I’m sorry about that.’
Randle was at Gobert’s home
Julius Randle played down the scene after the final whistle. “This is basketball, things like this happen. Name one perfect family – I haven’t seen one yet!” At the same time, he made it clear that his relationship with Gobert had not suffered as a result. “I was at Rudy’s house, there’s no dispute or hostility between us.”
On Sunday evening, the Timberwolves have the chance to turn things around. They host the reigning champions Boston Celtics from 9:30 p.m. German time.