Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert was ejected on Monday during the team’s 108-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Early in the third quarter, Suns center Mark Williams attempted to go for a two-handed dunk. Gobert, who tried to contest the shot, hit Williams’ side with his forearm. The Frenchman was given a flagrant foul 2 and had to exit the game.
The four-time Defensive Player of the Year left the game with 15 points and eight rebounds. Without their interior defender, the Wolves had to work together to protect the paint. However, Gobert’s absence was felt, resulting in the eventual loss.
While his actions were rightfully deserving of an ejection, former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins defended him on Tuesday’s episode of FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.”
“I don’t think that’s dirty at all,” Cousins started.
“That’s just a hard foul. In today’s game, it’s too much… I’ve seen dirty plays.
“Rudy Gobert’s been labeled soft. I think this is him trying to change the narrative on his name… he probably was gonna be off the floor anyway in crunch time.” 😅
Boogie says he’s seen dirtier fouls than Gobert’s on Mark Williams, but Chandler and Lou disagree… pic.twitter.com/2oe9P82z7G
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 9, 2025
“Rudy, I appreciate your efforts. I appreciate you trying to change the narrative… I feel like he’s trying to change the narrative. He’s been labeled I think this is him trying to change the narrative on his name. I’m not mad at it, I don’t think it was over the top.”
After Rudy Gobert left the game, Minnesota had trouble on defense. Following the contest, star guard Anthony Edwards spoke about his teammate’s absence.
“You can’t make up for Rudy’s absence, when he’s in the game it’s like they don’t want to go down there and finish. So of course he’s truly missed when he’s not on the court,” Edwards said.
The Wolves have fallen to 15-9 in the Western Conference following the loss. They look to bounce back on Friday against the Golden State Warriors.
Mark Williams speaks on Rudy Gobert’s foul on him
Rudy Gobert’s actions surprised the fans, his teammates and Suns center Mark Williams. He was having a decent game when he felt the opposing center’s arm on him. Following the contest, Williams said he thought the Wolves center was going to contest his shot.
“I’m not really thinking he’s doing that,” Williams said. “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.”
The big man said he had the wind knocked out of him, but recovered well. Without Gobert, he had a strong 22-point game to help the Suns win. Phoenix has a 2-0 advantage in their regular-season series against Minnesota.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
