Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert didn’t hold back Wednesday night following a 107-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
In Kevin Durant home debut for the Suns, Phoenix outscored Minnesota at the free throw line, 27-12.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert dunks against Suns center Deandre Ayton on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
After the game, Gobert was asked if the difference in the way the referees scored the first half and the second half made it difficult to defend, and the three-time defensive player of the year Discharged
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«It’s not fair. It’s really not fair,» Gobert said, according to the Star Tribune. «Every night. I’ve been in this league for 10 years and I try to always give the benefit of the doubt, but it’s hard for me to think that they’re not trying to help.» [the Suns] win tonight. It’s hard for me to think that they didn’t try to help the Warriors win the other night or sacramento kings the other night. It is so obvious. As a basketball player who’s been in this league for so long, it’s disrespectful.»
In the first half, only 11 fouls were called, while in the second half, 29 were called.
Suns forward Josh Okogie is fouled as he takes a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Phoenix. The Suns won 107-100. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Suns guard Devin Booker, who finished the night with 29 points, made 15 free throws, more than the entire Timberwolves team combined.
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«We understand that we’re not the biggest in the markets and we’re a team that, I think you want to see KD [Kevin Durant] in the playoffs, steph [Curry] in the playoffs, you want to see LeBron [James] in the playoffs,» Gobert continued. «[The] Timber wolves are not there yet. We have to keep putting our heads down, keep playing through it and it’s frustrating, especially for me.»
The loss left Minnesota 39-38 and a complete game behind the warriors of the golden state for sixth place in the Western Conference.
For Phoenix, Durant’s return was a sigh of relief after the 13-time All-Star suffered a freak injury in warmups before a game against Oklahoma City on March 8.
Kevin Durant, center, of the Suns during a Minnesota Timberwolves game on March 29, 2023 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
After missing the last 10 games, Durant struggled from the field, going 5-18 on the night.
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«It was hard for me to sleep today, it was hard for me to take my mind off the game,» Durant said. «Sometimes you can want it too much and you go out, you start rushing and being uncharacteristic.»
«I’m glad I’m back, I’m glad I’m playing again and being one of the guys. I’m just building from here.»
Associated Press contributed to this report