Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert almost hit by falling piece of scoreboard during game
2 min readMinnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert narrowly avoided injury during Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks when a piece of equipment, possibly part of the jumbotron, fell from the roof of the Target Center.
The incident took place as Gobert was heading to the bench after the first quarter. A black horn-shaped object fell from above and landed just inches away from the 32-year-old’s head, bouncing off the floor. Gobert was visibly startled, leaping out of the way. The piece of equipment also landed dangerously close to his teammate, Naz Reid, who looked up at the scoreboard in confusion. Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye was also near the falling object just moments earlier, further highlighting how close the incident was to causing harm.
Fortunately, no one was injured during the unsettling moment. A referee quickly retrieved the broken piece of equipment from the court, allowing the game to continue without further delay. The Timberwolves went on to secure a 100-92 victory over the Hawks in a hard-fought game.
Despite the scare, Gobert remained focused on the game and contributed significantly to his team’s success. He finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s offense with 23 points, while Julius Randle added 20, helping the Timberwolves extend their winning streak to three games.
For the Hawks, the absence of leading scorer and NBA assist leader Trae Young, who was sidelined due to injury, was a major blow. However, De’Andre Hunter stepped up in a big way, scoring a career-high 35 points in the loss. Despite Hunter’s performance, Atlanta struggled to find their rhythm, and the team now faces a five-game losing streak.
The Hawks will look to recover quickly as they prepare for a matchup with the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves will aim to continue their momentum when they face off against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. The victory against the Hawks kept Minnesota’s playoff hopes alive, with the team now sitting in a favorable position as they head into the second half of the season.
While the near-miss with the falling equipment provided a moment of tension, it ultimately didn’t derail the Timberwolves’ solid performance on the court. The incident was a stark reminder of how quickly things can change, even in the midst of an intense basketball game. Despite the scare, the Timberwolves showed resilience, with players like Gobert and Edwards helping to propel the team to victory.
With several important games ahead, both teams will need to focus on staying healthy and maintaining their form to finish the season strong. As for Gobert, the near-miss with the falling scoreboard serves as a reminder of how unpredictable the game can be, but also how important it is for players to remain alert and ready to adapt to any situation.
Source: CNN