Why Rudy Gobert Is Suspended by NBA, When is Earliest Star Can Return to Timberwolves?
The NBA announced Monday that Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been suspended for one game after accruing his sixth flagrant-foul point of the 2025-26 season during Sunday's 104-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Gobert was called for the flagrant after crowding Victor Wembanyama's landing zone while contesting a three-point shot.
The suspension won't come cheap:
Flagrant fouls have been an issue for Gobert this season. In December, he was hit with a Flagrant 2 and ejected after elbowing Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams while he went up for a dunk.
"I'm not really thinking he's doing that," Williams told reporters after the game. "I'm thinking he's just going to contest the shot. That's for the people to decide, but I'm good. He chose to do that. Glad I was able to finish the game out."
Because Gobert is on six flagrant points, he will now automatically be suspended for one game for any additional Flagrant 1 fouls and two games for a Flagrant 2. If he reached seven flagrant points, any flagrant fouls going forward will result in an automatic two-game suspension.
That could be costly for a 26-14 Timberwolves team jockeying for playoff position (though it's a moot point if Gobert simply doesn't commit more flagrant fouls). The Wolves are currently fourth in the Western Conference, just 1.5 games back of the San Antonio Spurs for the No. 2 seed.
