Video: LeBron James, Rudy Gobert butt heads with NSFW words with flagrant foul called

Lakers star LeBron James and Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert went at each other after a heated moment unfolded between the two stars.


Video: LeBron James, Rudy Gobert butt heads with NSFW words with flagrant foul called

LeBron James and Rudy Gobert

One team that is not going to give up easily is the Minnesota Timberwolves. In Game 4 versus the Los Angeles Lakers at the Target Center, they once again showed their tenacity. The Timberwolves, anchored by star Anthony Edwards, shocked the NBA community by defeating the Lakers in Game 4 and taking a 3-1 lead in the current series.

Out of all the games in this ongoing playoff series, this one was the most physical, with a few players involved in some heated situations. The one incident that caught most attention was the fierce altercation between LeBron James and Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert. The two were involved in a series of back-and-forth arguments after Gobert elbowed James.

In an NFSW argument, LeBron James told Rudy Gobert, “EJECT HIM. HE JUST ELBOWED MY F*CKING HEAD,” to which Rudy Gobert responded, “SHUT UP SOFT A** MOTHERF**ER.” LeBron James chimed back stating, “I WILL BEAT THE SH*T OUTTA YOU.” This altercation was one for the ages, per many NBA fans.

For context, with 31.8 seconds remaining in the quarter and Edwards shooting free throws, James went to box out Rudy Gobert, the four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Gobert was irritated by James’ boxout, even though it might have had extra sauce on it to prevent the seven-footer from reaching the ball. Gobert responded to James’ boxout by thrusting his right arm into the center of James’ head and neck.

After the incident, James yelled at Gobert and had to be restrained, demonstrating his obvious frustration. Gobert was awarded a flagrant foul, and Minnesota head coach Chris Finch received a technical for contesting the ruling, albeit it might not have made the hurt go away.

However, it was Gobert who had the last laugh on James at the Target Center, as his side secured an important Game 4 win. The much-anticipated Purple and Gold first postseason with Luka Doncic is on the verge of being a letdown. The Lakers, who are trailing 3-1 in their Western Conference series in the first round, must win Game 5 in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

LeBron James made an important claim regarding a controversial foul call in the dying minutes of Game 4

During the dying minutes of the 4th quarter, LeBron James was given a ‘foul call’ while defending under his rim. However, the game was at 113-114 in the Timberwolves’ favor before they were awarded the call. After Game 4 against the Timberwolves, James was visibly upset with the call. He had to confront the contentious foul decision during the postgame news conference because it resulted in a 113-116 loss for the Lakers in a pivotal game.

That play happens all the time. Hand is a part of the ball. That’s what they say. I felt like the hand was a part of that ball. His hand was on top of that ball, and the ball stripped out on him. Seen that play over and over before, but it is what it is.

LeBron James said

In a resigned tone, James spoke about the controversial call. A lot of judgment is frequently used when applying the “hand is part of the ball” criterion. Game officials are placed in more challenging scenarios about how they perceive each situation because of how narrow the margins are. However, one could term that this call did take away the game from the Lakers at the Target Center.

LeBron James made NBA history in Game 4 loss against the Timberwolves

LeBron James recorded another double-double against the Timberwolves (27 points, 12 rebounds) in Game 4, but his efforts went in vain. But for James, this was no typical double-double. The four-time NBA champion was able to create another piece of history with this double-double, which was his 144th in his storied career.

The NBA posted on X, “Congrats to @KingJames of the @Lakers for moving up to 3rd on the all-time playoffs double-doubles list!”

James went past the legendary Wilt Chamberlain on the prestigious list, as the NBA’s release stated. Now that he is alone at number three, the four-time MVP is aiming for Magic Johnson, another Lakers legend who has 13 more career postseason double-doubles than James.

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