NBA fines Rudy Gobert for getting frustrated over foul call

The NBA fined Minnesota Timberwolves centre Rudy Gobert $75,000 on Tuesday for another "inappropriate and unprofessional gesture" that implied a lack of integrity towards the league and its game officials.

Rudy Gobert looked down and rubbed his thumbs together with his fingers as he moved across the floor, frustrated by a foul call in the fourth quarter of Minnesota's defeat to Denver in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Sunday. Gobert had just been called for an offensive foul when the TNT broadcast captured him making the money-counting sign to himself.

Executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars stated that the fine "took into account Gobert's history of improper conduct towards game officials."

Two months earlier, during a regular-season game in Cleveland Cavaliers, Gobert was punished for a technical foul for making the money-counting motion. One of the officials witnessed the remark, and Gobert was later penalised $100,000.

I'll be the bad guy - Rudy Gobert

Following that incident, which happened during a 113-104 overtime defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers in March, Gobert said that the league's gambling ties were jeopardising competitiveness. Meanehile, Gobert expressed worry about the increase of betting and feels it is having a negative influence on results, essentially accusing officials of being on the take.

According to AP News, "I'll be the bad guy," Gobert stated then. "I'll accept the fine, but I believe it's damaging our game. I'm aware that betting and other activities are growing increasingly popular.

Gobert had moments of difficulty against Denver Nuggets on Sunday, despite winning NBA defensive player of the year for the fourth time in his career last week. Game 5 of the Timberwolves-Nuggets series is scheduled for Tuesday night. The series is deadlocked at 2-2. In the series' first three games, Gobert has averaged 7.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks.