Former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas raised some eyebrows when he recently criticized three-time NBA All-Star Rudy Gobert for leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves. playoff game,
Gobert was on the court for Game 1 of the Timberwolves’ Western Conference Semifinal series against the defending NBA champions denver nuggets, But Gobert missed Game 2 on Monday because his son was born earlier in the day.
The Timberwolves won both games and took a 2–0 lead as the series shifted to Minnesota for Game 3 on Friday. Arenas felt strongly that Gobert should have been the same in both games.
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Foes head coach Gilbert Arenas during a game against the Power in BIG3 Week Three at Comerica Center on July 2, 2022 in Frisco, Texas. (Tim Heitman/Getty Images for BIG3)
“It’s a baby, brother. It’ll be there when you get back, we hope,” Arenas said on the “Giles Arena” podcast. “I’m just saying, kid, all you think about doing is fall asleep.”
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According to ESPN reports, Gobert’s availability for Monday’s game was in doubt because he was being considered questionable for personal reasons.
Game 1 and Game 2 were in Denver, but Gobert likely left Colorado at some point after the start of the series. And there was uncertainty as to whether he would return to join the team for Monday night’s game.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after fouling out during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. (Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports)
Gobert and his girlfriend Julia Bonilla announce their pregnancy social media in February.
Arenas, a father of four children, believed Gobert should have been there for his team.
He said, “I think you want to be with your wife and smile, and you have good NBA health care insurance, it’s because of you playing.”
He tweeted a clip of himself with the caption: “Rudy missing a playoff game for a kid?
Rudy Gobert (27) of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after being called for a technical foul by referee Natalie Sago during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 8, 2024 in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Gobert is a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He finished Game 1 with 13 rebounds and three blocks in 35 minutes. He also scored six points.
The 31-year-old French NBA star averaged 12.9 points per game during the regular season and is averaging 11.4 rebounds per contest this postseason.
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Two-time All-Star Anthony Edwards has taken the NBA by storm this postseason. He finished Monday’s game with 27 points and seven assists. Edwards’ teammate Karl-Anthony Towns also scored 27 points in the Timberwolves’ 106–80 win.
Minnesota will host Denver on May 10 for Game 3.
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