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NBA Star Rudy Gobert Dismisses Criticism Over Missing Playoff Game for Birth of His First Child

Lina PortmanMay 29, 2024

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Rudy Gobert made the decision to miss a playoff game in order to be present for the birth of his first child.

The now four-time Defensive Player of the Year missed his Minnesota Timberwolves second-round game against the Denver Nuggets (Minnesota won), sparking controversy.

Much of the controversy came from ex-NBA star Gilbert Arenas, who said the baby “is going to fall asleep.”

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Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets in the second round of Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2023 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Gobert heard all the noise and he ignored it without much effort, saying he had made this decision a long time ago.

“This is one thing I decided I would never miss in my life,” Gobert told FOX Sports. “I love this game. I've dedicated my whole life to this game. But there's one thing that's above that. And that's being there for the birth of my child. I think that Everyone in this locker room understands that.”

Tough timing almost surprised Scottie Scheffler during the Masters, who said he wouldn't even think twice about leaving Augusta National if his wife were to give birth during the tournament.

Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on March 29, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Timberwolves 107-100. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Fortunately, Scheffler's wife held on and he was able to win his second green jacket, both in the last three years.

Their first child was born just weeks before the PGA Championship, where he was subsequently arrested.

Gobert's T-Wolves, however, are now in trouble, as they are in danger of being swept by the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. The Boston Celtics completed a sweep of the Indiana Pacers on Monday night to return to the NBA Finals.

Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Target Center on April 9, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

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If the Wolves come back and win, it would be the first 3-0 comeback in NBA history. Ironically, their co-owner Alex Rodriguez was on the losing side the only time this happened in Major League Baseball, as he was for the New York Yankees in 2004.

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